By Godwill Arthur-Mensah/ Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, June 23, GNA – The Parliament of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), has begun a four-day International Data Masterclass.
It is to strengthen Members of Parliament’s (MPs) capacity in applying statistics to debates and policy decisions.
At the opening of the workshop at the Parliament House on Tuesday, Mr Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, said the training would help legislators understand societal problems and apply statistical analysis in their routine work.
He urged research officers, clerks of committees, and the Research Department to also build their capacity to support MPs effectively.
Mr Ayariga emphasised the need to sustain the Masterclass beyond the lifespan of one Parliament, noting that with 115 new MPs in the ninth Parliament, continuous training was vital for effective debates, committee oversight, and fieldwork.
Mr Benard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker and MP for Akatsi South, underscored the importance of evidence-based statistics in public policy, urging MPs to distinguish between opinion and fact, and to champion informed decision-making.
The workshop, held on the theme, “Advancing Evidence-based Parliament: Leveraging Data for Better Decision-Making,” aimed to empower legislators to combat misinformation and promote data literacy in governance.
Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament, said the collaboration with GSS and ONS signaled a growing emphasis on data-driven governance in Parliament.
He noted that the training would enhance MPs’ understanding of statistics and provide practical insights into applying data for improved governance outcomes.
Mr Francis Bright Mensah, the Acting Government Statistician, stressed that strong economies and responsible institutions were anchored in evidence-based decision-making.
He said timely and reliable data equips legislators to scrutinise policy, allocate resources, and hold institutions accountable.
Dr Rashid Dramani, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, said while data did not eliminate politics, it strengthened accountability and aided institutions serve citizens better.
He urged Parliament to institutionalise the gains of the Masterclass.
Mr Terri Sarch, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Ghana, reaffirmed the UK’s commitment through the ONS to support MPs in applying data and evidence in legislative work, oversight, and policy formulation.
GNA
Editited by Christabel Addo
Reporters: Godwill Arthur-Mensah/Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
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