Ghana to Embrace Digital-First Approach for 2030 Census, Govt Statistician Says
Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu says Ghana will adopt a digital-first approach for its 2030 Population and Housing Census, leaning on technology, geospatial tools, and administrative data to improve accuracy and efficiency.
According to him, Ghana’s preparations for the 2030 Population and Housing Census have gained sharper direction following a side event at the 57th Session of the UN Statistical Commission in New York.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Dr Iddrisu described the event on “Population and Housing Censuses in the 2030 Round” as inspiring.
Organised by UNFPA and the UN Statistics Division, the session featured presentations from the UNSD on the evolution of censuses and expectations for 2030, plus country experiences from New Zealand and Brazil.
According to Dr Iddrisu, the discussions reinforced that the future of censuses will be shaped by innovation, technology, and strong partnerships.
For the Ghana Statistical Service, that means fully embracing digital-first data collection, geospatial technologies, and the potential of AI and machine learning to boost efficiency and accuracy.
He also emphasised leveraging administrative data sources to produce more timely, cost-effective, and comprehensive statistics, adding that working smarter with existing data will be key.
Equally important, he said, is inclusivity and public trust. Ensuring every Ghanaian is counted, particularly vulnerable populations, and maintaining confidence in the data remains a core responsibility of the service.
Dr Iddrisu noted that the event underscored the indispensable role of partnerships for both technical expertise and financial support.
The 2030 round, he said, will require stronger collaboration with international organisations, civil society, and the private sector to close knowledge and funding gaps.
He stressed that domestic resource mobilisation will also be vital so that Ghana’s own contributions form the foundation of the national exercise.
“We are committed to delivering a modern, high-quality, and impactful 2030 Census that will be the bedrock for Ghana’s development agenda. The journey has begun,” he wrote.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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