The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with key partners, joined the rest of the African Continent to commemorate the 2024 African Statistics Day on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Accra.
The theme for the celebration was, “Supporting Education by Modernizing The Production of Fit-for-purpose Statistics”.
The African Statistics Day is an event which is commemorated annually on November 18 to deepen public awareness of the significant role statistics play in all aspects of our social and economic life in Africa in particular, and in the entire world in general.
Furthermore, commemoration of the day provides the needed opportunity to increase advocacy for support for major statistical operations, including censuses and surveys, at timely intervals, in order to provide the needed official statistics to inform decision-making at all levels, and monitor socio-economic development policies and programmes.
This year’s celebration highlights the indispensable role of accurate, timely, and accessible data in advancing education and shaping Ghana’s development agenda.
Education continues to be a central pillar of Ghana’s national development, and Ghana Statistical Service is leading efforts to provide innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance educational outcomes.
Among these efforts is the Statistical Data Hackathon, a transformative initiative inspired by the development of the GSS online StatsBank, a comprehensive platform designed to make statistical data accessible, user-friendly, and actionable for all stakeholders.
Read Also: Boosting Tourism Sector: GSS set to conduct year-long accommodation Unit Survey
Speaking at the event, the Presiding Bishop for Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Asamoah-Gyadu, noted the importance of reliable, timely, and accessible data in driving educational reforms and empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions.
“This year’s theme, ‘Supporting Education by Modernizing Production of Fit-for-Purpose Statistics’, resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities we face across Africa.
Education is not merely the cornerstone of individual and societal growth, it is the foundation for sustainable development, innovation, and resilience. As statisticians, policymakers, educators, and development practitioners, we recognize the indispensable role of reliable, timely, and accessible data in driving educational reforms and empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions.”
He continued that,”Education is the bedrock of societal development, and we are all aware that effective decision-making in this sector relies on robust, timely, and relevant data. “Fit-for-purpose” statistics equip policymakers and educators with the insights necessary to address challenges like disparities in access, quality of learning, and resource allocation. When we produce and use statistics tailored to our education system’s needs, we not only enhance policy but also strengthen the life outcomes of countless students.”
For her part, Dr. Faustina Frempong-Ainguah who is the Deputy Government Statistician also noted that in recent years, the GSS has taken bold steps to implement a digital transformation strategy, improve data literacy across sectors, and enhance the accessibility of statistical reports for a broader audience.
According to her, the Service has reached a significant milestone by developing an online database for accessing detailed census statistics known as the StatsBank.
Also, she said closely linked to this innovation is an impactful initiative — the Statistical Data Hackathon series.
The initiative, she said, embodies the essence of African Statistics Day by promoting innovation, collaboration, and practical application of data in addressing pressing challenges across sectors.
“The Statistical Data Hackathon is more than just a competition; it is a platform for empowerment. It brings together a diverse community of statisticians, data scientists, academics, policymakers, and young innovators to collaborate, analyze, and solve real-world problems using statistical data. This initiative highlights how data can go beyond numbers, serving as a tool for actionable insights and transformative solutions,” she stated.
Through the hackathon series, Dr. Faustina Frempong-Ainguah said the GSS has achieved three critical objectives, thus cultivating a data culture, Driving data use and Strengthening partnerships.
“I commend all participants and partners for their enthusiasm and dedication to this effort. The ideas and solutions generated through the Statistical Data Hackathon will undoubtedly contribute to addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, from education and health to economic growth and environmental sustainability.” she stated.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
, in collaboration with key partners, joined the rest of the African Continent to commemorate African Statistics Day){kind=link}