Freetown, 13th November 2026- The Government of Sierra Leone has ordered the temporary suspension of all secret society activities across the country to allow for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, takes immediate effect and will remain in force throughout the census and the immediate post-census period, ending on 31st December 2026.
It applies to all Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom Authorities, secret society leaders and other traditional stakeholders. According to the Ministry, the decision was taken in the interest of public safety, peace, security, and the successful conduct of the national exercise.
The Ministry outlined five key reasons for the move:
Protection of census personnel: To ensure the safety of enumerators, supervisors and other officials working in communities across the country.
Uninterrupted operations: To prevent initiations, gatherings, processions and other ceremonies from disrupting enumeration.
Community participation: To ensure every eligible person is available and accessible to be counted, without restrictions arising from secret society activities.
Prevention of public disorder: To minimise the risk of conflicts, intimidation and misunderstandings that could undermine the census.
Protection of national interest: To promote cooperation and ensure the successful completion of the exercise.
Under the directive, all initiation ceremonies, traditional gatherings, processions and other secret society activities are suspended. No new initiation activities or related ceremonies shall be organised during the period.
It also indicates that no secret society activity shall be allowed to obstruct, intimidate, threaten or prevent census personnel from doing their work. Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, Town Chiefs, Village Heads and other traditional authorities must work closely with security agencies and census authorities to ensure compliance and any disagreement or security concern must be reported immediately to the appropriate local authorities for peaceful resolution.
The Ministry stressed that it recognises the cultural, traditional and historical significance of secret societies in Sierra Leonean communities.
However, it said the national importance of the census demands cooperation from all citizens and traditional institutions, so that every person is properly counted and accurate population and housing data are collected.
The Ministry has therefore called on traditional leaders, secret societies and community stakeholders to demonstrate patriotism, restraint, understanding and cooperation in support of what it described as an important national endeavour.
