The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Julius Debrah, has called for stronger coordination in the collection, management and use of government data to support effective governance and national development.
He made the call at a ceremony in Accra where the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 25 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s National Statistical System.
According to him, the initiative represents a significant step toward deepening evidence-based policymaking and ensuring that government decisions are guided by reliable and timely data.
“We are gathered here today not merely to sign documents, but to strengthen the foundations of evidence-based governance in Ghana,” Mr. Debrah stated.
“Today’s joint signing ceremony between the Ghana Statistical Service and twenty-five Ministries, Departments and Agencies represents an important step toward building a more coordinated, transparent and data-driven public sector,” he added.
The agreements are aimed at improving coordination in the collection, sharing and utilisation of administrative data across government institutions. The move is expected to enhance collaboration among public sector institutions and ensure that information generated within government systems is effectively transformed into credible national statistics.
Government Statistician, Alhassan Iddrisu, explained that the MoUs would operationalise the mandate of the Statistical Service by creating a structured framework for cooperation between the GSS and the various MDAs.
He noted that administrative data generated by public institutions constitutes an important resource for national planning and development but must be properly coordinated to maximise its value.
“The MoUs we are signing today create a clear framework for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to collaborate with the Ghana Statistical Service so that administrative data generated across government can be transformed into high-quality official statistics that guide national development,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu added that strengthening institutional collaboration would significantly improve the quality, reliability and accessibility of national statistics while promoting efficiency in government planning and service delivery.
Among the institutions that signed the agreement was the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, which will work closely with the Statistical Service to develop and analyse statistics relating to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the country’s growing digital economy.
The sector minister, Samuel Nartey George, signed the MoU on behalf of the ministry.
Under the agreement, the ministry will collaborate with the Statistical Service to strengthen ICT data systems, integrate digital indicators into national surveys and enhance the monitoring of policies aimed at promoting digital inclusion, innovation and technology-driven development.
Officials say the partnership will play an important role in supporting Ghana’s digital transformation agenda by ensuring that accurate and up-to-date data is available to guide decision-making in the sector.
The event brought together key government officials and development partners who emphasised the importance of data in shaping effective public policy.
Among the dignitaries present were the Head of the Civil Service, Evans Aggrey-Darkoh; the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Zia Choudhury; and Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.
The collaboration between the Statistical Service and the various MDAs is expected to improve the quality and availability of official statistics in the country while strengthening transparency and accountability in the public sector.
It is also anticipated that the initiative will ensure that government policies, programmes and development strategies are informed by credible evidence and comprehensive data, ultimately contributing to sustainable national development.
