Accra, Feb.10, GNA – The Ghana Statistical Service has released 13,000 computer tablets to the Ghana Health Service to help record demographic data of expectant mothers from antenatal clinic till delivery.
This is to enable the Statistical Service to track the population of the country at birth.
Additionally, government is making efforts to link the databases of the National Identification Authority, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Statistical Service and Births and Deaths Registry to ensure data harmonisation.
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia announced this at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, on Thursday.
The year-long celebration was on the theme: “50 years of shaping local and global population issues towards sustainable development,” which attracted government officials, academia and alumni of the Institute.
The Vice-President said it was important for the nation to have accurate data of the country’s population at birth till death for planning and to facilitate policy formulation.
The 2021 Population and Housing Census indicates that Ghana has 30.8 million population, of which 60 per cent are literate.
Dr Bawumia commended the management of the Institute for chalking a milestone over the period, especially for training about 1,500 population scientists to help ensure that government channelled the critical national resources at the right sectors of the economy.
He urged the Institute to establish meaningful partnerships with international organisations and employ modern technologies towards enhancing its academic programmes.
“I urge you not to be complacent for the 50 years milestone but should spur you on to excel in the next 50 years,” the Vice President said.
Dr Bawumia was of the belief that having an accurate and healthy population was the bedrock for development globally, which aided state institutions to make informed choices towards improving the quality of life of the citizens.
The Vice-President entreated the Institute to work closely with the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies towards efficient utilisation of resources and development of poor communities, noting that “without timely and accurate population data, planning will be impossible”.
Dr Grace Bediako, former Government Statistician and Chairperson of the Fifth Anniversary Planning Committee, said 50 years in the life of every institution was a great milestone, noting that the Institute had trained many graduates who had worked and distinguished themselves locally and internationally and impacted many lives.
Prof. Ayaga Bawah, the Acting Director of the Institute, in his welcome remarks, said the institution had been a center of excellence for training population scientists and that the celebration would enable it to take stock of its achievements and shortcomings to chart the way forward.
He said it would use the anniversary to consolidate the Institute’s Endowment Fund, build a Population House, develop cutting-edge educational programmes and tailor its academic programmes to meet industrial needs.
He added that a public forum on the 2021 Population and Housing Census would be organised as part of the 50th anniversary activities.
GNA