AYV News, January 21, 2025
forces this week with representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Statistics Sierra Leone to conduct a joint assessment of Sierra Leone’s upcoming national census plans.
During their visit, the delegation acknowledged the country’s strengths in various aspects of census preparation while identifying areas needing further development to ensure a credible outcome. The joint team provided several key recommendations to bolster the census process:
• Prioritizing a Realistic Timeline: Emphasizing the importance of a well-structured timeline, they advised that technical credibility should take precedence over other considerations to ensure the census is conducted effectively.
• Immediate Release of Funds: To facilitate the necessary preparatory work, the team underscored the urgent need for the release of budgeted funds to Statistics Sierra Leone, enabling them to proceed with essential tasks.
• Inclusive Oversight Mechanisms: To enhance the credibility of the census and prevent politicization, the advisors recommended establishing inclusive oversight mechanisms that involve diverse stakeholders.
The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment as a partner, expressing readiness to provide ongoing technical support throughout the census process to guarantee credible and accurate results.
