Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu sworn in as Government Statistician [Profile]

Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu (PhD) has officially been sworn in as the substantive Government Statistician of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), following his appointment in an acting capacity in early April 2025.

The ceremony, which honoured his transition to the substantive role, highlighted his commitment to transforming the GSS into a modern, technology-driven institution that plays a pivotal role in national development.

In his address to President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, Dr. Iddrisu described the role as a “solemn and sacred call to national duty,” affirming that data and evidence must be at the core of governance and transformation.

“In line with the President’s bold and inclusive vision to reset our nation and collectively build the Ghana We Want, the Ghana Statistical Service stands ready to be the bedrock upon which policy decisions are anchored,” he stated.

Dr. Iddrisu outlined his vision to institutionalise key statistical processes to meet global standards and improve decision-making.

Among his top priorities are the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) every three years and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every five years to reduce existing time lags and ensure more accurate and timely data.

He also pledged to begin regional GDP reporting to assess and guide economic performance across Ghana’s regions.

Brief Profile of Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu (Phd)

Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu is a distinguished economist with over 27 years of expertise in economic policy management, public finance, development economics, climate change financing, petroleum revenue management, and economic integration.

He has an extensive publication record in these domains and has made significant contributions to Ghana’s economic development.

Currently, Dr. Iddrisu serves as the Chief Economics Officer and Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division (ESRD) at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance. In this capacity, he leads strategic economic research, policy analysis, and the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at advancing the nation’s economic goals.

Over the years, Dr. Iddrisu has held several key leadership roles within the Ministry of Finance. These include Director of the Economic Planning Division (EPD), the Real Sector Division (RSD), and the Economic Research and Forecasting Division (ERFD). His leadership and expertise have
been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and strategies.

Beyond his work at the Ministry, Dr. Iddrisu has served on numerous governing boards, councils, and committees, where his extensive knowledge and leadership have significantly influenced national development initiatives. He has also collaborated with leading global organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, African Union (AU), and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and has consulted for various international and
local institutions.

Dr. Iddrisu’s outstanding contributions to public service have earned him multiple accolades, including being named “Best Director” in Ghana’s Civil Service for four years (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022). These awards recognize his exceptional performance, commitment, and dedication to duty.

Dr. Iddrisu’s teaching engagements reflect his commitment to academic excellence, capacity- building, and knowledge dissemination in key areas of economics, public policy, and development contributing to the education and professional development of students and government staff alike.

Dr. Iddrisu holds a PhD and Master’s degree in International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. He also earned an MPhil in Economics and a BA in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, Legon