Freetown, 12 November 2026 — The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs has ordered the temporary suspension of all secret society activities across Sierra Leone to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The ban takes immediate effect and will remain in force throughout the census period and the immediate post-census phase, ending on 31 December 2026.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the Ministry directed all Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom Authorities, secret society leaders and other stakeholders to halt initiation ceremonies, traditional gatherings, processions and related activities. No new initiations or ceremonies are to be organised during this period, and no secret society activity is permitted to obstruct, intimidate or prevent census personnel from carrying out their duties.
The Ministry cited five key reasons for the suspension:
– Protection of census enumerators, supervisors and other officials working in communities
– Prevention of disruption to enumeration caused by initiations, gatherings or processions
– Ensuring all eligible persons remain available and accessible for counting
– Minimising risks of conflict, intimidation or misunderstandings that could undermine the census
– Safeguarding the national interest by securing accurate population and housing data.
Paramount Chiefs, Section Chiefs, Town Chiefs, Village Heads and other traditional authorities have been instructed to work closely with security agencies and census officials to enforce compliance. Any disagreements or security concerns arising from the directive should be reported immediately to the appropriate local authorities for peaceful resolution.
The Ministry acknowledged the deep cultural, traditional and historical importance of secret societies in Sierra Leonean communities. However, it stressed that the national importance of the census requires full cooperation from all citizens and traditional institutions so that every person is properly counted.
“The Ministry therefore calls on all traditional leaders, secret societies and community stakeholders to demonstrate patriotism, restraint, understanding and cooperation in support of this important national endeavour,” the notice stated.
The directive was issued under the authority of the Senior Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
