Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, has emphasized that effective policy-making is impossible without accurate, timely, and credible data, noting that all aspects of governance—from budgeting and planning to performance management and programme evaluation—depend on solid statistical foundations.

Speaking at the 2025 annual forum for data producers, users, and enhancers on Monday, December 8, under the theme “Financing Innovations in Data and Statistics for Sustainable and Inclusive Development”, Dr. Iddrisu stressed that Ghana’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework hinges on the strength of the nation’s data systems.

“Data is the foundation of good governance. When the numbers are clear, decisions become smarter, fairer, and more accountable. The reverse is also true. Weak, patchy, or underfunded data leads to weak decisions. Without timely and reliable statistics, effective planning is impossible,” he said, adding that strong data systems protect lives, guide investment, and drive national progress.

Progress Achieved

Dr. Iddrisu highlighted that Ghana has made significant strides in modernizing its statistical systems. The 2021 Population and Housing Census, the first fully digital census, set new standards for speed, geospatial integration, and real-time quality assurance.

He noted that other major surveys have also been modernized, including the Integrated Business Establishment Survey, the Ghana Living Standards Survey, annual income and expenditure work, labour force tracking, tourism and agriculture surveys, and informal cross-border trade assessments. Administrative data systems are being improved, with growing attention to interoperability to ensure that policy-relevant data is available in real time.

Dr. Iddrisu also highlighted new initiatives such as the Governance Series, which provides additional insights for policy-making, and praised the sustained partnerships, technical discipline, and national commitment that have driven these improvements.

Looking Ahead

To consolidate these gains, Dr. Iddrisu said the third National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS III) will guide the next phase of reforms. The strategy aligns with Ghana’s digital transformation agenda and integrates data directly into planning, budgeting, and accountability frameworks.

He also highlighted the Power of Data Initiative, launched in 2024, which fosters collaboration across government, industry, academia, and civil society. Its goal, he explained, is to make data more visible, usable, and influential in shaping development outcomes for the nation.