Ghana has launched its first-ever digital population and housing census, marking a significant step towards leveraging technology for data collection in West Africa. This groundbreaking initiative aims to provide accurate and timely data to support policy-making, development planning, and resource allocation.

The digital census utilizes advanced tools such as tablets, GPS technology, and real-time data transmission to ensure efficiency and accuracy in the enumeration process. Enumerators have been trained extensively to collect data on various demographic, social, and economic indicators across the country.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the agency spearheading the project, has emphasized the importance of the census in addressing key development challenges. By transitioning from traditional paper-based methods to a fully digital system, the country aims to reduce errors, improve data quality, and streamline the overall process.

This initiative also aligns with Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to harness technology to promote economic growth and social inclusion. As the first country in West Africa to adopt a digital census, Ghana hopes to set an example for other nations in the region.

The data collected will play a critical role in shaping policies on health, education, urban planning, and other vital sectors. It will also aid in tracking progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ghana’s digital census marks a historic milestone, underscoring the nation’s commitment to innovation and evidence-based decision-making.