Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has officially launched a 10-day Geographic Information System (GIS) and Cartographic Mapping training for Master Trainers ahead of the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The training, held at J & E Hall in Bo City, marks a critical step in the technical preparations for the national census, which is expected to be fully digital and professionally executed.
The Master Trainers will play a central role in equipping a broader network of national-level trainers, who will then train the cartographic mappers tasked with conducting field-level mapping activities across the country.
Abdulai Salia Brima, Director of Censuses & Geographic Information Systems and National Census Coordinator, emphasized the strategic importance of the training. “This GIS and Cartographic Master Training is a key milestone in the 2026 Census process. It will equip you with the up-to-date mapping skills needed to successfully roll out the census nationwide,” he told participants.
In his keynote address, Moses Williams, Chairman of the Stats SL Council, urged the trainers to approach their responsibilities with the utmost seriousness. “You are the foundation of this critical national assignment. Government, institutions, and the people of Sierra Leone are counting on you,” he said. “The outcome of this training will directly affect the success of the cartographic mapping and the overall census.”
Chief Census Officer Andrew Bob Johnny echoed this sentiment, stressing that the trainers hold a pivotal role in the census architecture. “This is not just a training—this is the start of a chain reaction that will shape the entire 2026 census. The responsibility on your shoulders is immense, and we expect your full commitment,” he remarked.
Johnny also recognized the support of the government and international partners, particularly the funding and technical guidance provided by UNFPA and other development agencies.
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Officer-In-Charge Sibeso Mululuma noted that the GIS and cartographic mapping phase is crucial for the creation of accurate and up-to-date maps necessary for complete national enumeration. “Census data is the backbone of national planning and policymaking. UNFPA is proud to support Sierra Leone in producing credible and high-quality data,” she said.
Mululuma highlighted UNFPA’s broader mandate to strengthen national data systems and monitor population dynamics in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) framework.
The training is being facilitated by UNFPA’s international Cartographic Consultant, Dr. Foluke Adebayo, and is designed to produce a pool of highly skilled master trainers who will guide the next phases of training and field operations.
With this intensive training underway, Stats SL is laying the groundwork for a credible and technology-driven 2026 census that aims to provide accurate population data to inform development policy, resource allocation, and governance reforms across Sierra Leone.
By June Abraham Bo
