The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has entered into a landmark partnership with twenty-five Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to transform the country’s approach to data collection and usage. The signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) took place at a high-level ceremony at the Movenpick Hotel, marking a decisive step toward evidence-based governance.
The collaboration aims to bridge significant data gaps by integrating administrative systems across the public sector. By facilitating data sharing and adhering to rigorous national statistical standards, the GSS and its partners hope to provide a more accurate and real-time picture of Ghana’s development progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. “We are gathered here to strengthen the foundations of evidence-based governance,” he said. He added that the collaboration is vital for building a “more coordinated, transparent, and data-driven public sector.”
Key institutions involved include core ministries such as Interior, Education, Communications, Trade, and Lands and Natural Resources. Among the agencies participating are the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), alongside technology and oversight bodies including the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).
Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu explained that while the GSS already holds a legal mandate to lead the National Statistical System, the MoUs provide a practical framework for action. “They create a clear path for administrative data generated across government to be transformed into high-quality official statistics,” Dr. Iddrisu said.
The ceremony attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh, and the UN Resident Coordinator, H.E. Zia Choudhury. Their presence underscored the importance of robust data systems in driving Ghana’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
