Ghana will on June 28, 2021, commence its 3rd Population and Housing Census.
The 2021 Census will be different and unique as the Ghana Statistical Service will leverage on the use of ICT to collate the data, a deviation from the manual collection of information.
At the launch of the 100 days’ countdown to the census night in Accra, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said data is the new oil in the 4th Industrial Revolution and Ghana cannot afford to be left behind.
He stressed that 2021 will help Government take informed decisions for better targeting of poverty alleviation measures, develop effective and efficient Pro-Poor Policies, Programmes, Projects and Agenda.
He urged all to collaborate to make the census a success.
Ghana has conducted five post-independent population censuses in 1960, 1970, 1984, 2000 and 2010 with the last two consisting of both a population and housing census.
The 2021 PHC is the third edition to be conducted in Ghana. The 2021 Census is also the first digital census to be undertaken in the country.
The Ghana Statistical Service will use go-referencing maps and tablets to collate and send data directly to the system. The 2021 PHC will among other things allow for identification of vulnerable individuals and households for targeted interventions, information that will be derived from the census will help the private sector, including businesses to plan their activities.
It will also aid policymakers to make realistic development plans such as the provision of pipe-borne water, construction of roads, schools, hospitals, and help to track the progress that have been made as a nation.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia said the 2021 Census will provide important data for the formulation of policies to transform Ghana and spur economic development. He said the use of ICT for the census will consolidate the gains made so far over the last two years to digitise the economy.
The Chairperson of the Ghana Statistical Service Board, Dr. Grace Bediako said the countdown to the 100 days to census night signals a time to officially determine the set period for the census to begin.
Dr. Bediako indicated that the population and housing census is to gain a complete universal information of every individual, structure and households across the country. She explains how the census will be conducted.
The Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim in a brief remark said this year’s census will change from the use of paper to an electronic questionnaire which will affect the entire census process. He touched on some key areas that will ensure a complete coverage of all.
The slogan for this 2021 Population and Housing Census is You Count, Get Counted.