The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has officially entered into a partnership with twenty-five (25) Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to overhaul the nation’s data landscape.
The signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) took place at a high-level ceremony at the Movenpick Hotel on March 12, signaling a unified push toward evidence-based governance.
The agreement aims to bridge critical data gaps by integrating administrative systems across the public sector. By synchronizing data sharing and adhering to rigorous national statistical standards, the GSS and its partners intend to provide a clearer, real- time picture of Ghana’s development progress.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, underscored that the ceremony was more than a procedural formality.
“We are gathered here to strengthen the foundations of evidence-based governance,” he stated. He emphasized that the collaboration is essential for building a “more coordinated, transparent, and data-driven public sector.”
Key participating institutions include:
- Core Ministries: Interior, Education, Communications, Trade, and Lands and Natural Resources.
- Agencies: Ghana Police Service, Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
- Technology & Oversight: National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).
Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, noted that while the GSS holds a legal mandate to lead the National Statistical System, these MoUs translate that mandate into a practical framework.
“They create a clear path for administrative data generated across government to be transformed into high-quality official statistics,” Dr. Iddrisu explained.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, and the UN Resident Coordinator, H.E. Zia Choudhury, reflecting the international and domestic importance of robust data in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
