WHY EVERYONE RESIDENT IN GHANA MUST SUPPORT THE 2010 CENSUS

Very soon, the Government of Ghana will be expected to announce a specific date for the commencement of Ghana’s 2010 Population and Housing Census planned for the second half of this year.

Since 2007, the Ghana Statistical Service has been meticulously planning and preparing to undertake this national exercise in accordance with United Nations recommendations, and the stipulation of the Statistical Law of Ghana (PNDC Law 135 of 1985) which empowers the Government Statistician to conduct any statistical enquiry in the country, including population and housing censuses, among others.

As the Ghana Statistical Service steadily enhances its state of preparedness towards a highly successful Census, it is imperative that everyone resident in Ghana (both nationals and non-nationals) take a moment to reflect on the nature, importance and benefits of this national exercise, and why we all must support it.

Statisticians define a Population Census as the official enumeration of all persons in a country at a specified time. This enumeration also implies the collection, compilation, evaluation, analysis, publication and dissemination of demographic, social and economic statistics relating to the population.

A Housing Census, on the other hand, is the official enumeration of all living quarters (occupied and vacant) and occupants thereof in a country at a specified time. This enumeration also involves the collection, compilation, evaluation, analysis, publication and dissemination of statistical data pertaining to these living quarters and their occupants. Even though, each type of census is a complete exercise on its own, the 2010 Census will be a combination of two exercises i.e. a Population and Housing Census.

Relating the aforementioned definitions to Ghana in lay people’s terms, this simply means that the 2010 Population and Housing Census will tell us how many people are in Ghana irrespective of their nationality, and who they are in terms of age, sex, education, marital status, literacy, educational attainment, occupation, and economic activity. In addition, the Census will give us access to other information like where the people reside in terms of permanent and temporary residential structures, and the availability of other vital social services like water, health, education, and housing conditions, among others, to the minutest administrative units.

There are several reasons why we must conduct the 2010 Census. First, every national statistical system MUST from time to time update its data base with a national census. This will ensure that Ghana’s data systems remain current, accurate and relevant. The last Census conducted in Ghana was in the year 2000. Since censuses are mostly decennial (i.e. conducted in or every 10 years), it is imperative that we update our statistical system if we wish to have current and relevant social, economic and demographic information to assist national, regional and district administrations as well as businesses, industries, the media, academia, research institutions and international organizations in sound evidence-based decision making.

In a nutshell, Census data, in combination with macro data from other sources like the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS), the Core Welfare Indicator Questionnaire Survey (CWIQ), and Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), will serve as an invaluable data base on the population, for the government’s operations, and for decision-making by the business community and Ghana’s development partners. Furthermore, there are several specific benefits of Census data which are considered a sine qua non for successful national and business development. The following are just a few examples of such benefits.

Census data is invaluable in planning because it will provide explicit information on the size, distribution, and characteristics of Ghana’s population. This kind of information is indispensable for formulating and monitoring evidence-based policies and programmes that will improve the welfare of the people. In addition, it serves as a guide for evaluating the effectiveness of such policies and programmes for providing basic social sector services. For example, in the area of education, the data can reveal any lack of equality in how quality formal education is accessible to various groups of people spread over various geographical locations. As an illustration, the data could tell the disparity in formal education between men and women, and between urban and rural populations, which government can address.

Another example can be seen in the provision of pipe-borne water. The demand for water is largely determined by population size. This means that future demand for water is dependent on how large the population will be. Since the Census data is a unique source of information including small area data (up to the one person settlement), it becomes very essential for regional and district level planning.

Thus, current population size will also serve as a basis for developing credible projections of the future population size which can very useful in planning for water supply and other essential social services for the urban and rural areas.

Census data is useful for both governmental and non-governmental institutions for measuring progress towards national development goals by putting indicators in place and monitoring their implementation. In this way, Government developmental policies/goals on education, health, and housing, among others, can be tracked easily and modified as and when necessary.

Accurate census data is needed for the efficient and equitable demarcation of electoral constituencies and adjustment of administrative boundaries. This enhances the foundation and means for good governance, and the consolidation of Ghana’s democracy. In addition, reliable census data can assist with rational allocation of revenues among districts. Thus, the 2010 Census will be also very useful in this capacity.

In a nutshell, the Census data will be very useful to individuals and business, industry and labour institutions especially in Demand Forecasting, Product Development and Marketing, and Location Decisions, among others. For example, information on the size of the population and its distribution at least by age and sex, in the regions and districts, down to small area settlements, will be needed in estimating consumer demands for certain goods and services. The Census will provide such current information. And when businesses use the Census data to decide where to locate factories, shopping centres, banks and offices, it will invariably lead to the creation of more jobs.

Census data is also very critical in the area of research. For example, it can be analyzed to understand the composition of the population and the determinants of population phenomena like urbanization, labour force participation, migration, fertility and mortality for various groups, and can help answer such questions as how and why Ghana’s population is changing.

Housing data from the 2010 Census will enable planners and policy makers to formulate realistic and relevant housing policies, and design appropriate programmes to meet Ghana’s housing needs. For instance, information obtained from the Census on housing quality indicated by the materials used for constructing various housing units, and the availability of facilities like water and sanitation serve as important indicators of the occupants’ quality of life. Such information can aid the government in designing housing improvement programmes. Furthermore, data collected from enumerating the floating population (homeless people) will give an exact indication of the housing challenge in various localities.

The 2010 Census will provide data that could help government identify disadvantaged or deprived areas and districts, and special population groups like women, children, youth, the elderly and disabled. Such information can help the government establish priorities for action.

Aside helping policy makers to identify deprived and disadvantaged population groups and geographical areas, the 2010 Census data, when combined with other survey data, will tell us where the poor are, why they are poor, and the nature of their lives. Such information will serve as a primary tool for developing a targeted Poverty Reduction Strategy. In addition, it will give the evidence needed to develop and monitor effective development policies. Most importantly, it will serve as a guide for directing resources and programmes to poor people and poor areas.

The Census will be an important source of data on persons with disabilities in that it will aid us in assessing the social and living conditions of such people in terms of school attendance, educational attainment, employment, marital status and living arrangements. This information will provide the basis for developing policies to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, and for evaluating the effectiveness of those policies.

Aside Ghana’s development partners, donors, investors and other world bodies who need Census information to guide them in planning technical and economic assistance to this country, data realized from censuses are vital to the work of the United Nations system as a whole because they provide inputs for official UN population estimates and projections.

From all indications, the Statistical Service has meticulously prepared to undertake this sophisticated and huge national exercise. (GSS’s state of preparedness will be analyzed in subsequent articles).

Aside the Ghana Statistical Service, every individual has an important role to play in the forthcoming Census. For it to be highly successful, it requires the co-operation and participation of everyone resident in Ghana. Thus, it is very important to note the following: The 2010 Census will be easy because Census Officials will visit you in the comfort of your own home (no queuing); Be friendly and cooperate with the Census Official; Make an effort to answer every question you are asked because every correct answer provided will help ensure the accuracy of the 2010 Census; the information you give to the Census Official will be treated as private and confidential.

Finally, everyone resident in Ghana should remember that it is every individual’s civic duty to support the 2010 Census because correct and accurate data from the census will assist our national, metropolitan, municipal and district authorities to make effective plans for our educational, health, housing and other socio-economic services. Ultimately, the nation, our development partners, and every individual resident in Ghana will be the beneficiaries of a highly successful 2010 Population and Housing Census.