Sierra Leone's Chief Census Officer, Bob Jonny inspires Northern Region Districts Catographic Mapping Trainees...

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

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The Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone, who doubles as the Chief Census Officer, Mr. Andrew Bob Jonny, delivered inspiring messages to trainees participating in the ongoing 10-day cartographic mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) training during his supervisory visit in Makeni on Saturday, September 27, 2026.

The training, currently taking place at the Garden State, and Buyas Hotel training centers in Bombali District, Northern, Sierra Leone is part of the preparatory phase for the 2026 National Population and Housing Census.

Addressing dozens of aspiring field mappers and other filed staff, Mr. Jonny commended the participants for their enthusiasm, commitment, and discipline demonstrated in the early days of the 10-day cartographic mapping training for trainees from Bombali, Falaba, Koinadugu and Tonkolili districts in the northern region.

“I’ve observed that you are gradually adjusting to the training process, which is truly encouraging,” he said. “By the look on your faces, I can see that most of you are young, and that aligns perfectly with our mission to empower youth and invest in our human capital.”

Mr. Jonny emphasized the significance of the mapping exercise, calling it a critical step toward executing a successful and data-driven national census. He reminded trainees that while the opportunity is promising, only the most dedicated and capable individuals will be retained for the full seven-month mapping assignment.

“Not all of you will be selected. Only those who excel, based on training assessments, fieldwork performance, punctuality, and commitment will move forward,” he stated.

Acknowledging the strong support from the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Statistician General assured participants that extensive groundwork is already in place, with collaboration ongoing across national and international partners.

He also urged honesty and transparency among trainees, particularly those juggling other commitments such as academic programs says, "this is a full-time engagement for the coming months. If you know you cannot commit fully to the process, kindly step aside and allow others who can. We won’t tolerate divided attention,” he added.

Mr. Jonny was accompanied during the visit by Council Members of Statistics Sierra Leone, including Mr. Sahr James Bangah (Media Representative) and Mr. Kalie S. Samura (Northern Region Representative), along with several senior staff and facilitators of the mapping training including the District Census Officers (DCOs) of the four Northern Region Districts.

The Statistics Sierra Leone's Statistician General and Chief Census Officer day's supervisory visit concluded at the Buyas Hotel Hall, where he delivered a similar address to another group of GIS trainees, and jounerned to Port Loko where similar trainings are being held for trainees from the three North Western districts of Kambia, Karene and Port Loko District.

The cartographic mapping and GIS training is part of Sierra Leone’s broader effort to modernize its data systems and ensure the 2026 Census is inclusive, accurate, and digitally executed.

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