By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in collaboration with UNICEF, has successfully wrapped up a comprehensive 28-day training program for enumerators in preparation for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7).
During the closing ceremony held at the EJ Hall, Fourah Bay College, Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Stats SL, commended the facilitators, consultants, and trainees for their commitment and hard work throughout the month-long training.
Miriam Jalloh, the SL MICS 2025 National and Training Coordinator, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and the consultants. She characterized the training as a “bittersweet journey,” emphasizing that the four weeks had equipped participants with essential knowledge and practical skills. Jalloh also encouraged those on the waiting list not to lose hope, highlighting the relevance of the skills acquired.
UNICEF consultant Ramesh Ghimire praised the trainees for their strong performance, noting their mastery of the modules and their hands-on participation. He reminded the attendees that this training marks the beginning of their journey, with further review sessions planned.
Mona Korsgaard, Chief of Social Protection at UNICEF, reflected on the rigor of the program and reassured non-selected candidates that the skills they gained would be valuable in future fieldwork. She commended not only the facilitators and trainees but also partners, including UN Women, for their collaborative efforts. Korsgaard emphasized the vital role enumerators play in collecting accurate household data, which is essential for tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his keynote address, Statistician General and Chief Census Officer Andrew Bob Johnny expressed appreciation for the dedication of the facilitators and support staff. He congratulated the successful trainees, urging them to understand that the real challenge begins in the field. Johnny noted their exceptional performance during the training and reassured those not chosen that their knowledge would remain valuable.
Trainee Elizabeth M. Kanneh expressed her gratitude for the insights gained, particularly from the mental health module, which she found enlightening. She underscored the importance of having women enumerators handle the women’s questionnaire to foster a safe environment for open discussions. Fellow trainee Alhaji Alimamy Sultan Turay reflected on how the training equipped him with new skills, including water quality testing and anthropometric measurement.
A total of 156 trainees have been selected and are now deployed to the field as of November 26, 2025, to begin their data collection duties. An additional 26 candidates are on the waiting list. All enumerators were encouraged to commit fully to their roles, adhere to protocols, and ensure the integrity of the data collected.
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