By Musa Paul Feika
The All Peoples Congress (APC) party has reiterated its unwavering resolve to closely monitor the operations of Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), warning that it will not tolerate a situation where taxpayers’ money and donor funds are expended on processes that ultimately yield data considered unreliable, substandard, or unacceptable to both national and international stakeholders.
This position was strongly articulated by Abdul Karim Kamara Esq., a Member of the APC Publicity Team, on 8th January, 2026, during an interview on AYV Television’s popular morning programme, ‘Wake Up’ Sierra Leone.
Speaking with candour, Kamara stressed that the opposition party’s concerns are rooted not in politics for its own sake, but in the broader national interest and the need to uphold international best practices in the generation and management of official statistics.
“What the APC won’t afford is to allow our taxpayers’ money and donor funds to be used; at the end of the day, the end product becomes useless,” Kamara said. He added that the party would not “sit idly by” while public resources are channeled into exercises whose outputs fail to meet globally accepted standards or lack universal credibility.
According to Kamara, credible data is the backbone of effective governance, sound policymaking, development planning, and democratic accountability. When official statistics are perceived as flawed, politicized, or methodologically weak, he argued, the consequences extend far beyond partisan debates and undermine public trust in state institutions.
Statistics Sierra Leone is mandated by law to collect, analyse, and disseminate official data on population, the economy, social indicators, and other critical areas that inform national decision-making. Such data is also relied upon by development partners, investors, international organisations, and civil society groups.
For this reason, Kamara maintained that any compromise in quality, transparency, or professionalism could have serious repercussions for Sierra Leone’s international reputation and development prospects.
“The produced data cannot meet international best practices and is not universally accepted,” Kamara warned, referring to concerns raised by the APC regarding certain statistical processes and outcomes. He noted that once confidence in official data is eroded, it becomes difficult for the country to attract investment, secure donor support, or design policies that genuinely address citizens’ needs.
Kamara emphasised that the APC’s response has been to adopt a strategy of vigilance and oversight. “So, what we have succeeded in doing is to make sure that we monitor all the steps along the line as work is unfolding,” he explained. This, he said, is intended to ensure that processes are transparent, inclusive, and technically sound from start to finish, rather than waiting to challenge outcomes after resources have already been spent.
The APC’s stance reflects a broader debate in Sierra Leone about the independence and credibility of state institutions, particularly those whose work has far-reaching political, economic, and social implications. In recent years, disputes over census figures, electoral boundaries, and socio-economic data have heightened tensions between political actors and raised questions among sections of the public about neutrality and professionalism.
Kamara was careful to point out that the APC is not opposed to data collection or national statistical exercises. On the contrary, he said the party recognizes the importance of accurate and timely data in driving national development.
However, he insisted that such exercises must be conducted in strict adherence to international standards, free from political interference, and with adequate stakeholder engagement.
“Our concern is about value for money and credibility,” Kamara noted. “When you spend huge sums of public and donor funds, the output must be something the nation can rely on, something that stands up to scrutiny both locally and internationally.”
He further argued that opposition parties have a legitimate role to play in safeguarding public interest by holding institutions accountable.
In this regard, Kamara said the APC’s monitoring efforts should be seen as a contribution to transparency and good governance, rather than an attempt to undermine state institutions.
Analysts say the issue underscores the need for stronger institutional safeguards and open communication between Stats SL and key stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and development partners. Proactive engagement, they argue, could help address concerns early, build trust, and reduce the likelihood of disputes that cast doubt on official outcomes.
As Sierra Leone continues to navigate complex development challenges, the credibility of its data remains crucial. For the APC, the message is clear: public funds must translate into credible results. Kamara concluded that the party will remain vigilant, insisting that every step of the statistical process be transparent, accountable, and aligned with international best practices.
Ultimately, the debate highlights a shared national responsibility, ensuring that statistics produced in Sierra Leone are not only technically sound but also widely trusted, forming a solid foundation for development, democracy, and national unity.