Representatives from Statistics Denmark are in Ghana to examine how the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) generates its economic statistics for administrative purposes and propose measures to benchmark Ghana’s economic performance with what is being practiced in Denmark.
This engagement between the two countries is expected to assist Ghana on how to use administrative data to complement the traditional sources for data collection. This measure is expected to enable officials of the GSS improve on the manner the Service computes economic statistics specifically the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI).
The activity forms part of measures stipulated by the Service to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it has signed with Statistical Denmark which is aimed at improving on the compilation and use of administrative data in the country.
Speaking with the Goldstreet Business during the release of April’s Producer Price Index in Accra, Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Annim said that the engagement provides the opportunity for the two countries to learn from each other and improve on the use of administrative data.
“Specifically, we have been using surveys and censuses in the past, but with modern times, there has been the need to diversify our data source stream and one of the data source streams that we found credible and is being used in Denmark is the use of administrative data”, Prof. Annim reiterated.
Meanwhile, the GSS has initiated a process of establishing a quality assurance framework system. This is being spearheaded in collaboration with some state institutions and Civil Society Groups (CSGs).
With the introduction of a quality assurance framework system, it will enable the Service develop and implement a single data framework platform that will be recognized as reliable and used for official purposes to inform decision making by working with government and civil society organizations to advance the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other important initiatives.
Background
Administrative data collection is the set of activities involved in the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of statistical data from one or more administrative sources. It includes data for routine operations, and is frequently used to assess how well an organization is achieving its intended goals and purposes. Statistics and data play a crucial rule when it comes to solving a country’s social, economic and environmental challenges.
Early this year, the two parties embarked on a new strategic sector cooperation arrangement that is geared towards enhancing and strengthening the production of official statistics in Ghana.
By Dundas Whigham
