Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has begun a key stakeholder engagement in Mara Chiefdom, one of three rural sites chosen for the national Pilot Cartographic Mapping exercise, marking a crucial step ahead of the upcoming nationwide census.
During a welcoming ceremony, Chiefdom Speaker Pa Mustapha Jalloh expressed gratitude for the collaboration and pledged continued support for the Stats SL field teams. “Mara has wholeheartedly hosted Stats SL field staff since their arrival, and we will continue to do so,” he affirmed.
Paramount Chief Bai Bairoh Mabolleh Anshami III took pride in Mara Chiefdom being the sole northern region location selected for this important pilot. He called on community members to fully cooperate and urged local leaders to spread awareness of the project. “Our people should see the field staff as one of their own,” he emphasized.
Samuel Ansumana, Stats SL’s Director of Communication and Public Relations, thanked local leaders for their warm reception and stressed the importance of community-wide engagement. “We urge you to go beyond your constituents; bring this message to every household,” he appealed.
Field team leader Amadu Sheriff assured the chiefdom that all local customs and traditions would be respected throughout the exercise. “We will take utmost care to respect the traditions and culture of the chiefdom to foster cooperation and trust,” he said.
The meeting brought together a broad cross-section of community stakeholders, including youth, women’s groups, religious leaders, farmer representatives, and local officials.
About the Pilot Cartographic Mapping
The pilot exercise is a preparatory geographic data collection effort to test tools, field methods, and community engagement strategies in advance of the national census cartography. Four sites have been strategically selected for this pilot:
- Kissy Teng Chiefdom – Disputed border area
- Dema Chiefdom – Hard-to-reach terrain
- Mara Chiefdom – Easily accessible rural area
- Freetown East II and III – Urban and accessible areas
This pilot aims to identify logistical, technical, and social challenges while training teams and refining approaches for a smooth nationwide rollout.
