The Chief Census Officer, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, has warned, that anyone who declines to be counted during the 2021 Population and Housing Census, will be fined not less than 200 penalty units, equivalent to Two thousand 400 Ghana Cedis or in default, spend 12 months in prison or both.
He said Section 54 of the Ghana Statistical Service Act 2019, (Act 1003), clearly outlines various offences and penalties for offenders and urged the public to cooperate with the Census Officers to prevent any sanctions.
His call comes in the wake of reports that some residents of Krowor and Ledzokuku in the Greater Accra Region, Talensi, Bongo, and Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, prevented Census Officials from listing structures.
Addressing the Media in Accra, Prof Annim said it is not the Ghana Statistical Service’s desire to prosecute persons who refuse to be counted, however, the Service will be compelled to enforce provisions in the Act, if the need arises.
He appealed to all persons living within the confines of Ghana to avail themselves to be counted during the 14-day national exercise.
Prof Annim said it is the civic responsibility of people living in the country, including foreigners, to be counted to help inform policy formulation and decision-making.
Responding to some concerns raised by the Census Monitoring Coalition, over the issue of their remuneration, insurance and security, Prof Annim said every Census Field Officer agreed and signed a contract, and the GSS will enforce the terms without infringing on anyone’s rights.
Meanwhile, 97 percent of data in the 51 thousand 922 Enumeration Areas, have been captured and 98 point three percent of structures listed and chalked.
The listing and chalking of an estimated 11million structures started on June 13 and ended on June 23, 2021.