Dr Philomena Nyarko
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has produced an official document on statistical standards and concepts which will serve as a reference material for a sustained production and dissemination of accurate and relevant statistics in the country.
The document, launched Thursday in Accra by the Acting Government Statistician, Dr. Philomena Nyarko, is the first of its kind produced through the collaboration between GSS staff, 32 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
Some research institutions in the country were part of the collaboration while the UK’s Department for International Development and the World Bank provided support.
Dr. Nyarko, in an address, indicated that variations in concepts, variables and classifications used by various data production agencies that led to inconsistencies in data reporting prompted the GSS to initiate and coordinate the development and production of the document known as compendium.
The document, she said, is in conformity with international standards and practice.
It was launched together with a report on a survey conducted by the GSS to evaluate how statistical data provided by the service were utilized by both the public and private sector to meet their demands and satisfaction.
The survey, she said, would be conducted at regular intervals to monitor how official statistics produced by the service meet the changing needs of users in the sector.
She added that the survey was aimed at measuring the strengths and weaknesses in the production of statistical data in order to improve on sectors that needed attention as part of measures to strengthen the National Statistical System.
She therefore expressed appreciation to the World Bank and other development partners that contributed to the development of the document – compendium and the report on User Satisfaction Survey for the year 2012.
By Ernest Nutsugah