The data from Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC), will for the first time, ensure data linkage and harmonisation among seven West African countries.

The harmonisation and improvement of statistics under the West Africa Project from 2020 to 2024 was intended to ensure efficient data production through cooperation and partnership with the National Statistics Offices and 20 Ministries Departments and Agencies in the sub-region.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced this when he launched the 100 days countdown to the Census Night in Accra.

The 2021 Census would be the first full digital census, which would capture the geo-spatial data of the population to inform government’s policy formulation.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is the lead Agency mandated to conduct the Census and has divided the country into 51,921 enumeration areas and 131,739 localities.

The National Census, with the slogan, “You Count, Get Counted” is slated for Sunday, June 27, this year across the 260 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

The Census will capture credible and comprehensive information on the citizenry to inform policy formulation and ensure the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The PHC indicators, aside the personal details of the applicant, will also capture housing and living conditions, water and sanitation, as well as difficulty in performing activities on daily living during the approximately 28 days.

Vice President Bawumia noted that when statistics collected were completed and analysed, it was expected to provide comprehensive and credible data to both the private and public sectors to inform policy formulation.

The data collected on the socio-economic and housing conditions would allow for the identification of vulnerable individuals, groups, and households for targeted policy interventions.

Dr Bawumia noted that while many people often think of population Censuses as only the count of persons, the full dimension of the census was much deeper. According to him, the Census will capture gender mix, the age mix, the birth and death as well as migration of applicant.

“The quality of our housing, and our access to public services health and education. So we do more than just count people,” he added.

The 2021 Census will provide important data for the formulation of policies to transform the country’s economy and spur economic growth.

He said government was committed to ensuring that the Ghana Statistical Service receives the required support from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies and from all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

“We thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to working with you to conduct a successful Census,” he stated.

The 2021 Census should have taken place in 2020, but the Coronavirus pandemic delayed the process.

The Government Statistician and Chief Census Officer, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, said with the receipt of logistics and systems, the Service was ready to commence the Census on June 27,2021.