2010 Census Will Take Place

Dr. Duffuor supported by Dr Bediako

The 2010 Population and Housing Census would definitely come off this year contrary to media reports that the project might not take place, Dr. Grace Bediako, Government Statistician has said.

According to her, the Census would not take place in March 2010 due to a number of factors such as the impending World Cup in June, raining season and the Muslim pilgrim, the Hajj that is held in November and December each year.

The Daily Graphic on Monday reported that due to the fact that the Census Secretariat under the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) was now capturing and collating data from the trial census organized in November 2009, a minimum period of one year was required to organize a national census.

However, responding to some questions posed by the media personnel at a press conference yesterday, the Government Statistician said, “The census would come off this year as the Steering Committee had considered several factors in order to set a new date for the important exercise. President John Evans Atta Mills would be informed about current developments.

On whether proposals had been submitted to the private sector for support and participation, Dr. Bediako emphasized that “the proposals had not be presented to them but would be done in the next month if Government gives the go ahead.”

On his part, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said the Census was dear to President Mills' heart, adding that Government had allocated more than 50 percent of the total funding for the project.

In the 2009 Budget, Government provided GH¢5 million and has also provided GH¢32 million in this year's budget.

The rest would be funded by development partners including UNDP, UNFPA, DANIDA, UNICEF,  Swiss and Chinese Governments.

Recapping the 2009 budgetary allocations, Dr. Duffuor pointed out that the budgetary provisions for the programme would enabled the GSS, collaborating institutions and partners to make significant progress in the planning and implementation of the programme.

“There is no doubt that the Population and Housing Census is a unique data source that provides benchmark information for effective planning and good governance at all levels of governance

“For example, without an exercise like this, District Assemblies cannot get the data that they need for evidence-based management and administration in their respective districts,” he said.

He commended all the development partners, chiefs, opinion leaders and all Ghanaians for their support and cooperation.

So far, all data collection instruments that would guide the field exercise have been developed and tested, including procedures for recruitment, training and fielding of interviewers, supervisors and monitors.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah