“Better dialogue on statistics for better development results”: Meeting data needs of users in Ghana through the National Statistical System Bamako June,

Outline of the presentation The National Statistical System (NSS) in Ghana Who are the stakeholders? What data are requested? How does the NSS meet the data needs of users? Challenges of the NSS Attempts at overcoming the challenges Role of the GSDP (NSDS) Impact of GSDP/NSDS in Ghana 2

The National Statistical System (NSS) This system looks at a holistic approach to the production and effective utilisation of official statistics All units producing statistical information play their part and complement each other’s work through exchange of information, sharing of standards and statistical resources (EA maps, questionnaires, data collection templates, etc.) The NSS assures uniformity of direction, methods and processes of official statistics 3

Who are the stakeholders?  Stakeholders within the NSS are individuals, institutions and all others who have a role to play in the production of statistics. They include: ◦ Government - a major stakeholder ◦ Data Producers – GSS/MDAs/MMDAs/NGOs, etc ◦ Individuals who supply the information (Respondents) ◦ Data Users (Government, Individuals, Businesses, Training & Research Institutions, International organisations, Development Partners). ◦ Experts from Training and Research Institutions, government, private and non-governmental institutions, Multi-lateral financial institutions ◦ Resource providers /Development Partners  The Ghana Statistical Service plays a coordinating role 4

What data are requested? Economic data (National Accounts, Trade, Industrial, Agric. & Price Statistics) Social & Demographic Statistics, including Census and Survey data (Population, Labour, Crime, Health, Education, etc) Geographic Information System (GIS) Data (Information on Enumeration Areas, Maps)  Number of requests from Jan - May, 2014 Economic data - 30 Social and Demographic Statistics - 93 GIS Data

How does the NSS meet data needs? Dialogue with stakeholders to know their data needs and incorporate them when designing surveys Document data requests from Gov’t, MDAs Researchers, DPs, international bodies, and students Carry out routine data collection and disseminate results (e.g., CPI, PPI, GDP) Conduct periodic surveys and censuses such as GLSS, DHS, MICS, PHCs, Agric, Industrial and Population Censuses Survey and Census reports and data disseminated through electronic media, workshops and uploaded onto GSS website Data Centre set up to respond quickly to data requests (Archiving/Production/Dissemination Units) 6

Challenges of the NSS  Coordination challenges Different Laws guiding different institutions in terms of statistics production (GSS Law (PNDCL135); Civil Service Law 1993 (PNDCL327); etc) Proliferation of data with quality concerns  Institutional challenges/weaknesses Gaps in human resources available (inadequate skills) Difficulty in recruiting and retaining professional staff Poor terms and conditions of service  Data Gaps Inability to produce the range of statistics users need such as data on climate change, pollution Long delays and irregular release of data  Inadequate resources to support statistics production Inadequate budgetary resources Issue of sustainability where donor support is involved 7

Attempts by the NSS at resolving the challenges Institutional reform of GSS (the Coordinator) o Drafted a new Statistics Act o Designed new organogram o Re-assigned all staff into the new organogram Capacity building for all categories of staff/MDAs Improve quality and use of statistics o Prepared manuals on standards, concepts, definitions, classifications o Attempt to re-activate the National Advisory Committee of Producers and Users of Statistics (NACPUS) Source funding from Development Partners while dialoguing with Government for increased budgetary support Administrative sources of data targeted by resourcing statistics units of MDAs through the provision of equipment and training (eg Births and Deaths Registry to get 10 Mobile Registration Vans and Cross Country vehicles for monitoring their activities 8

Role of Ghana Statistics Development Plan (GSDP/NSDS) Facilitate Institutional Reform and Organizational Change  Made possible by redrafting a new Statistics Act which is under consideration by Cabinet Enhancing capacity of GSS and MDA statistical units, improving statistical framework and investing in physical infrastructure and equipment Improving data production, management, dissemination, communication and outreach through modernisation of data collection procedures and ICT Ensuring quality assurance through monitoring and evaluation and User Satisfaction Surveys 9

Impact of GSDP/NSDS in Ghana  Full scale implementation starting in 2014 with 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Some positive impact have, however, been made. Donor Coordination  Donors collaborated with stakeholders in the National Statistical System (NSS) to agree on the priorities for funding. Donors have, therefore, aligned better with national priorities Attraction of additional funding to statistics Appreciable amounts of resources have been received over the years from DPs for statistical activities (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID, JICA, KOICA, DANIDA, DFATD (formerly CIDA), EU, DFID, ILO, etc (About $30. 4m from ) Improved collaboration among stakeholders in the NSS Increased demand for GSS statistical products and services 10

Thank you for your attention! 11