-Information Minister Chernor Bah Appeals
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, has called on all Sierra Leoneans to make themselves available for the forthcoming national census scheduled for December 1 and 2, urging citizens across the country to stay at home and cooperate with census officials to ensure that everyone is properly counted.
The Minister’s appeal highlights the importance of public participation in the national census, which is a crucial exercise for determining the country’s population and providing reliable data for national planning and development.
Speaking on the importance of the exercise, Minister Bah emphasised that every Sierra Leonean has a responsibility to participate. He encouraged households, communities, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support the process by ensuring that family members are present and accessible when census enumerators visit their homes.
According to the Minister, the census is not merely a government exercise but a national responsibility that requires the collective participation of every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, tribe, religion, region or social background.
He further encouraged citizens to understand that being counted is an important way of contributing to the country’s development agenda. Accurate population figures help the government and development partners understand the needs of communities and make informed decisions about the distribution of essential services and national resources.
Why Every Sierra Leonean Must Be Counted
A credible census provides essential information for planning schools, hospitals, roads, electricity, water supply, housing, employment opportunities and other public services. It also helps policymakers identify areas that require urgent development attention.
For a developing country like Sierra Leone, reliable population data is particularly important in addressing poverty, improving living conditions and ensuring that development programmes reach the people who need them most.
When communities are properly counted, their population figures can better inform decisions about infrastructure, healthcare delivery, educational facilities and other social services.
The Minister’s message therefore serves as a reminder that no community should be left behind and no individual should miss the opportunity to be counted.
A Call For National Cooperation
As December 1 and 2 approach, Sierra Leoneans are being encouraged to organise their daily activities accordingly, remain at home when necessary and cooperate fully with authorised census enumerators.
Parents and guardians are also encouraged to ensure that household members are properly accounted for, while community leaders are expected to play an active role in sensitising residents about the importance of the exercise.
Citizens should also provide accurate information to census officials and seek clarification from authorised sources whenever they have concerns about the process.
The success of the census will depend largely on public cooperation, adequate preparation and the commitment of citizens to make the exercise successful.
Your Participation Counts!
Ultimately, the national census is about the future of Sierra Leone. It is about knowing how many people we are, understanding where we live and identifying what our communities need to progress.
Minister Chernor Bah’s appeal is therefore a timely call for patriotism, responsibility and collective action.
As the country prepares for December 1 and 2, the message to every Sierra Leonean is simple: Stay available, cooperate with census officials and make sure you are counted.
A country cannot plan effectively without knowing its people. Every person counts, every community matters, and every Sierra Leonean deserves to be included in the national development picture.
