Census date still unknown

The 2010 Population and Housing Census committee is yet to decide on a tentative date for the exercise this year, a source has told B&FT.

The national committee which is made up of representatives from Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) responsible for the exercise is yet to meet to set a date.

“The census will come off this year, as the steering committee has considered several factors for the national exercise. Other factors such as the impending World Cup in June will be considered before the committee sets the date,” he disclosed.

It is estimated that Ghana’s population will reach 24.5 million, up from the last census figure of 18.9 million in 2000.

Government Statistician Dr. Grace Bediako, making a presentation in Accra, explained that significant progress has been made in areas of Census cartography and a trial census, among others.

“We expect most of the preparatory work to establish a firm base towards a successful Census to be completed very soon.

“We need to get to each district, each community, each settlement, each structure, each dwelling unit, each household, and each individual before Census night,” Dr. Bediako explained.

She further explained that the Census will provide up-to-date socio-economic data for planning at both the national and sub-national level, including data for newly-created districts.

It will also provide basic indicators for tracing government developmental policies, goals on education, health and housing among others.

The Census results or data will allow for informed policy information that will aid programme implementation and socio-economic development.

A trial census was conducted in five District Assemblies across the country between October and November 2009. The Assemblies include Saboba and Chereponi in the Northern Region, Bia in the Western Region, Sene in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ewutu Senya in the Central Region as well as parts of Legon and East Legon in the Greater Accra Region.

These Assemblies were selected based on their specific conditions and will be used as test cases for the main census.

Over 45,000 volunteers, mostly students from tertiary institutions, will be recruited by the Ghana Statistical Service for the exercise.

The volunteers will be spread across 36,000 enumeration areas throughout the country to do the counting.