The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) of the University of Ghana on has inaugurated its state of the art Measurement, Learning and Evaluation research unit in Accra.

This research unit also known as the MLE Unit provides innovative research to development institutions within the West African sub-region as well as students of the University of Ghana.

The MLE makes it possible to now collect data from anywhere in the world with internet access and makes it available in the shortest possible time.

The 8-terabit data storage capacity unit offers data resources and business intelligence solutions for researchers, and students as well as interested parties from both the public and private business community.

Its cutting-edge research and technical assistance services support institutions engaged in developmental projects in Ghana and within the West African sub-region.

As part of best practices by ISSER, the MLE Unit has a cleaner energy alternative as back up-solar energy.

It has a robust data security and back up, plus an emergency fire alert system that automatically puts out any emerging fire and sends alerts directly to the mobile phones of staff there.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, representatives from the University, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Millennium Development Authority, among several others.

Director of the institute, Prof. Felix Asante, told journalists that the MLE Unit will strengthen technological infrastructure and innovations and improve advocacy communications and network, and finally to establish regional partnerships and networks.

“The MLE Unit will support the work of ISSER by providing operational services across all aspects of survey research and practice: from study design to data collection and storage, analyses and disseminations of findings.

“This state of the art data centre ensures data is managed, stored and analysed locally and in the long-term to leverage and enhance ISSER’s national position and credibility to support the development of a sustainable regional network,” he added.

He said the MLE will partner Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Liberia and Sierra Leone and other countries within the sub region.

This partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will help ISSER become a world class research institute that can play a long-term regional role in agricultural policy research, monitoring and evaluation that will include the capacity to mentor other related organisations.

“It is our hope and expectation that research from the unit and the university will be used by policy makers increasingly to influence decisions made, and policy makers in turn will invest more in data gathering and analyses. Through this synergy we will be able to provide the policies that will yield better outcome for the nation.”

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, said he was pleased with the work of ISSER.

“ISSER’s work reflects the changes going on in the world of data analyses.  Tax payers are highly interested in knowing what happens to the aid they send to developing countries, that the aid is purposeful and yields outcomes they envisaged.

“ISSER has over the years provided evidence in policy making and the inauguration of the unit was a step in the right direction towards this end.”

Head of Research at AGRA, Dr. David Sarfo Ameyaw, indicated that the data centre will provide evidence for better decisions toward improving socio-economic lives within the West African sub-region.

“We need good data to help decisions that support agricultural transformation across the continent. AGRA will utilise the centre and ensure that this facility becomes productive to support the cause of regional development,” he said.