GSS, ACEPA and others launched new constituency profile reports to mark week celebration

As part of the African Statistics Week celebrations, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) together with African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Parliament of Ghana and INASP are launching five new constituency reports amid African Statistics week celebration in Accra.

The theme of this year’s African Statistics Week celebration is “ModernizingNational Statistical Systems to Support Sociocultural Development in Africa”.

The Constituency Profile is to explore existing administrative data to demonstrate the value of local data for local decisions.

The initiative is part of the Data for Accountability Project (DAP), a partnership which seeks to enhance the use of evidence in parliament, specifically, towards improving the capacity of Ghana’s Parliament for monitoring the country’s progress on the SDGs.

The reports are created by using time-series data for a specific geographical area with information spanning health, education and district assembly budget allocation.

The motivation is to provide background or context to the development needs of constituencies for the MPs who represent them. Initially five constituencies were selected for these flagship reports, these are Asante Akim Central, Hohoe, Wa East, New Juaben South and Ajumako Enyan-Essiam.

“We hope that by creating these products from administrative data, that it will help parliament to appreciate the role that data plays in local and national development, moreover why it is important to invest in data systems.” Prof. Samuel K. Annim explains.

The Executive Director of ACEPA Dr. Rasheed Draman also noted that decisions must be made not only by chance but also based on data and evidence.

“Until now, there seem not to be any documented evidence of challenges faced by constituents; challenges MPs need to be aware of. With the development of these profiles, ACEPA and its partners under the DAP, is taking MPs and Parliament in general to new levels of representation. Armed with these profiles, MPs, particularly from these specific constituencies can now better represent their constituents and advocate for their needs.” he added.

The Majority Leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who further hailed the initiative said the nation must congregate on the Constituency Profiles to see how to act upon it rapidly, adding, that can add value to the lives of our people.

Africa Statistics Day is celebrated on 18th November every year to raise public awareness about the important role statistics play in all aspects of social and economic life in Africa.

Source: africaneditors.com