By: Sahrfoe Matturie
With Sierra Leone gearing up for the 2026 Population and Housing Census, authorities in the Western Area—both Urban and Rural Districts—have intensified a robust public awareness campaign around the ongoing Cartographic Mapping Exercise, a critical preparatory phase for the national count.
Publicity Officers from both districts have taken a grassroots approach, engaging residents directly through street parades, community meetings, and mobile sound systems. The initiative also features radio announcements and catchy jingles aimed at helping citizens understand the purpose of the mapping exercise and the importance of providing accurate information.
In the Western Rural District, Regional Publicity Officer Alpha Paul Kamara led community sensitization drives across Fabaina, Newton, and Tombo. He clarified that the mapping process is not the actual census but a vital technical groundwork that involves identifying and demarcating all geographic areas to ensure full coverage during next year’s enumeration.
“This exercise lays the foundation for accurate national data,” Kamara explained. “When residents cooperate and provide the correct information, it helps the government plan better for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other essential services.”
Meanwhile, in the Western Urban District, Publicity Officers Khadijatu Jalloh and Augustine Kandeh spearheaded similar outreach activities across Mamba Bridge, Kissy Brook, Shell, Locust Housing, Kissy Bye Pass, Kissy Mess Mess, Kissy Mental, and Thunder Hill. Their efforts centered on dispelling misconceptions about the exercise and fostering public confidence in the census process.
The officers emphasized that the mapping exercise helps ensure no household or community is left uncounted. It provides the statistical framework for the 2026 enumeration, which will guide national development planning and equitable resource distribution.
Residents have responded positively to the awareness drive, noting that direct community engagement makes it easier to understand the importance of the census process. Some expressed appreciation for the government’s effort to involve citizens early, saying such transparency builds trust and prevents misinformation.
Both Regional Publicity Offices have pledged to sustain the sensitization campaigns throughout the mapping phase, reaching even the most remote communities in the Western Area.
“We are determined to ensure that every household is aware, informed, and ready when the census begins,” Kamara reaffirmed.
As Sierra Leone moves closer to its 2026 Population and Housing Census, the Western Area’s proactive awareness efforts highlight the growing recognition that accurate data collection begins with informed citizens.
