1. UNECA, Addis Ababa 5-7 October 2011 Anthony Amuzu
COMPILATION OF INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS: GHANA’S EXPERIENCE
UNECA, Addis Ababa
5-7 October 2011
Anthony Amuzu

2. Outline of presentation
Mandate of the External Trade Statistics Section
Sources of data
Data processing
Data dissemination
Challenges

3. Mandate of the ETS The External Statistics Section mandated to:
Maintain and update the External Trade Statistics database
Compile and review external trade statistics on a monthly basis
Release external trade statistics quarterly
Respond to data requests on external trade statistics and identify data gaps
Update GSS website with external trade statistics quarterly
Prepare an annual compendium of external trade statistics

4. Sources of data
The main source of data is the Ghana Customs and Preventive Service (CEPS) now Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority
Tema Oil Refinery (refinery for crude oil)
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)
Volta River Authority (VRA) for the import and export of electrical energy

5. Data processing
Data is downloaded from the Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS) through the Ghana Customs Management System (GCNet)
Data is saved in dbf format an imported into excel
Data field headings are defined in accordance with headings in Eurotrace

6. Data processing (cont’d)
Data is imported into Eurotrace
Errors are generated in Microsoft Access and imported into Excel for re-processing

7. Data generation Data is generated using Comext standalone
Data is generated by HS, BEC and SITC according to the needs of the client

8. Dissemination
Dissemination is through a quarterly digest of External Trade Statistics publication
This is to be made available on the GSS website alongside the quarterly GDP

9. Challenges The main challenges are
instability of the internet connection to the Ghana Community Network System (GCNet)
Delays in the obtaining data on crude oil imports
Misclassification of commodities
Weights and which do not match customs values

10. Thank you for your attention