The United Nations in Ghana, together with key development partners, joined the Government of Ghana, its agencies, and major stakeholders at the inaugural Annual Data Forum 2025 for Data Producers, Users and Enhancers, aimed at leveraging innovations in data and statistics to promote a just, peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous African ecosystem.
Held at the Alisa Hotel, the forum brought together high-level government officials, including the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, and the Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, who offered insightful contributions and re-emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the financial ecosystem through measurable data and innovative, evidence-based solutions.
The forum, themed “Financing Innovations in Data and Statistics for Sustainable and Inclusive Development,” marked the celebration of African Statistics Day 2025, a platform that raises awareness and drives commitment to the crucial role statistics play in economic and social development. It also served as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships among data producers, users, and enhancers, fostering stronger coordination and improved data-sharing across the sector.
Addressing participants, the Deputy Minister reiterated government’s dedication to bolstering statistics on economic indicators to support investors, businesses, SMEs, and other financial sector stakeholders to make informed decisions that yield economic dividends.
He announced that GH¢207 million has been allocated in the 2026 Budget for key statistical activities, including GDP and CPI rebasing, national surveys, and improvements in economic performance measurement. He also highlighted the government’s intention to expand the Monthly Indicator of Economic Growth to enable policymakers to track economic trends up to 10 weeks faster.
“As we mark African Statistics Day 2025, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a resilient and sustainably financed data ecosystem for Ghana. When we invest in data, we empower citizens, improve governance, and create opportunities for equitable development,” he stated.
As Ghana advances its commitment to innovative data solutions, the Deputy Minister also hinted at the forthcoming ‘Releasing Ghana Numbers’ initiative, an annual visual publication designed to make data more accessible to citizens. He noted that the ongoing national data drive, supported through the Ghana Card, is expected to reduce census costs by up to 70%.
The Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, underscored the essential role of data in driving economic progress and national development, describing it as the backbone of effective governance and strategic planning.
The United Nations, a longstanding partner in Ghana’s digitalization and statistical harmonization efforts, was also represented. Through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and guidance from the UN Data Group, the UN has contributed significantly to the country’s data and digital ecosystem. Notable past engagements include the National Data Forum of 2017, which focused on strategies for accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals through improved production and access to user-friendly data.
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