Stats SL Hosts Certification Ceremony for Sierra Leone Integrated Households Survey (SLIHS) Field Personnel.

Statistics Sierra Leone certified enumerators and supervisors for completing the Sierra Leone Integrated Household Survey (SLIHS) 2025. The ceremony took place at the Family Kingdom in Aberdeen to honor their dedication and outstanding performance.

The event officially marked the successful conclusion of the rigorous one-year SLIHS data collection effort. This essential living standards survey, part of a broader World Bank initiative to promote growth in low-income countries, provides the vital foundation for monitoring poverty and shaping effective policies across Sierra Leone.

In a keynote address, Statistician General Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny underscored the survey's pivotal role. "This data tracks poverty trends and directly informs interventions by government and development partners," he stated. Mr. Johnny pledged Stats SL's commitment to quality, collaborative, and objective data production, emphasizing a focus "transcending politics and tribe for genuine development."

He praised the field teams' resilience in ensuring the survey's success and urged them to maintain their professional standards. The Statistician General concluded with assurances of their continued engagement in future national surveys.

Council Chairman Moses Williams highlighted Stats SL's inclusive methodology as key to credibility. He affirmed that enumerators and supervisors were deliberately recruited from their respective districts, guaranteeing local knowledge and representation throughout the data-gathering process.

Director of Survey A.B. Gegbe applauded the teams for remarkable progress despite field challenges. He noted the certification ceremony itself was a novel and positive development within Stats SL's operations, thanking leadership for supporting the year-long project.

Dr. Albert Bangura-Will, Project Coordinator for HISWA, connected the teams' work directly to national progress. "You have contributed to economic growth," he said, highlighting the survey's crucial role in shaping policy for improving well-being, health, education, consumer patterns, and gender mainstreaming in areas like land ownership.

Supervisors and enumerators from across Sierra Leone shared reflections from the frontline. They cited navigating cultural sensitivities, diverse opinions, network issues with digital tools, and hard-to-reach areas as significant challenges overcome. The teams universally praised Stats SL for the professional opportunity and the invaluable experience gained, appealing for continued collaboration in the nation's statistical development.

Correspondent-John Farfira Kamara

STATS SL

Emai: Johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com

Tel: +23279185532