The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says it would soon announce a date for the commencement of the 2010 Population and Housing Census. Deputy Government Statistician Prof Nicholas Nsowah-Nuamah who disclosed this to Joy News hinted that the service is ready to start the project as it has secured the necessary financial commitment from government. He however hinted that the service needed more support to carry out the programme which he said is expected to take off before January 2010. “Government has promised to give us half of the resources and then we are looking whether we can get the remaining source from our development partners,” he stressed. The census is expected to cost the country about $48.9 million and will require 50,000 field workers while over five million houses will be counted. The Chinese embassy is said to have donated 10 computers with accessories valued at about $10,000 to the service to assist in the census. Prof Nsowah-Nuamah noted that the service has started mapping out some areas in Accra for ease of counting. The deputy government statistician intimated that while field workers of the service have already begun work, the service is faced with problems of remuneration. He said a lot needs to be done to improve what workers take home. He however admitted “that is a general problem in the country.” Government Statistician, Dr Grace Bediako on Thursday projected that about 25 million people will be counted during the census. She said the census data will allow for informed policy formulation that will aid programme implementation and socio-economic development. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com