The All People’s Congress (APC) has announced its full participation in Sierra Leone’s 2025 national census from December 2 to 15.
This
participation signals the party’s recognition of the importance of the census,
which plays a crucial role in the country’s planning, resource allocation, and
development strategy. However, despite affirming its support, the APC has
voiced concerns regarding its readiness to conduct a credible census
that adheres to international standards.
APC's Stance on the Census
Sidi
Yayah Tunis, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, stated in an interview
with Africa Young Voices (AYV) that the party acknowledges the constitutional
necessity of the census. He stressed that a comprehensive population count is
key to ensuring proper resource distribution and guiding development plans.
“Census
is important for determining how resources are distributed and guiding our
development plans. As an opposition party, we recognize its importance and will
fully participate,” Tunis remarked.
Tunis
also commended President Julius Maada Bio for announcing the 2025 census within
the legal framework. He noted that statutory instruments had already been laid
before Parliament, ensuring that the legal prerequisites for the census were followed.
The APC’s support is rooted in its belief that population data directly
influences decisions that affect local and national development.
Concerns Over Readiness
While
the APC expressed its willingness to engage in the census, Tunis raised serious
concerns over Sierra Leone’s preparedness for such a large-scale operation. He
questioned whether the country had the financial capacity, technical expertise,
and time to organize a census that meets international standards.
Tunis
estimated that the census could cost Sierra Leone as much as $30 million,
raising questions about the availability of resources in a country already
grappling with economic challenges.
Beyond
financial constraints, Tunis emphasized the need for technical assistance from
international partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
which has a long history of supporting population and housing censuses in
developing countries.
He
stressed that the success of the 2025 census would depend on effective
collaboration between local authorities, development partners, and the
international community to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Inclusivity and Stakeholder Engagement
Tunis
also called for greater inclusivity in the census process. He pointed to the
Census Act, which outlines the establishment of statutory and technical
committees responsible for overseeing census operations. According to Tunis,
these committees should involve a wide range of stakeholders, including all
political parties, civil society organizations, and regional representatives,
to ensure transparency and accountability.
Ensuring
that every segment of the population is accurately counted requires a
collaborative effort. Tunis urged the government to engage with political
opposition, civil society, and development partners to build a consensus on how
the census should be conducted, while addressing any logistical and technical
challenges that may arise.
As
Sierra Leone prepares for its 2025 national census, the APC has made it clear
that it will actively participate, recognizing the critical role the census
plays in shaping the nation’s future. However, the party has also sounded
alarms over the country’s readiness, urging the government to focus on securing
the necessary financial and technical resources to ensure a successful outcome.
With
the countdown to the census already underway, it is crucial for all
stakeholders to work together to guarantee an accurate and comprehensive
population count, as this data will be essential for the country’s long-term
development.