The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance the nation’s data landscape, placing employment statistics at the heart of development planning and economic policymaking. This initiative, spearheaded by Government Statistician Professor Alhassan Iddrisu, introduces a Quarterly Labour Force Survey, a significant stride towards providing reliable and regular data on crucial labour market dynamics—employment, unemployment, and overall workforce trends. This move is considered instrumental in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the Ghanaian economy, moving beyond traditional indicators like GDP and inflation to incorporate the vital dimension of employment. Prof. Iddrisu emphasized the critical role of employment data in crafting a compelling narrative of economic progress, arguing that a complete picture of the economy cannot be drawn without it. This new survey marks a departure from the past, where the routine production of employment statistics was lacking, and signals a commitment to data-driven decision-making.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey builds upon the foundation laid by the 2016 Labour Force Study and aims to address a critical data gap by consistently monitoring labour market trends, including those within the substantial informal economy. The data generated by this survey will empower policymakers to effectively align economic growth strategies with improvements in livelihoods, ensuring that economic progress translates into tangible benefits for the Ghanaian population. Prof. Iddrisu also highlighted the potential for scaling up the survey from a quarterly to a monthly reporting cycle with increased financial support. Such a transition would position Ghana among a select group of African nations with access to high-frequency labour market data, further strengthening the country’s capacity for evidence-based policy formulation. The ultimate goal is to provide a granular and timely understanding of the labour market, enabling policymakers to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging challenges and opportunities.
This enhanced focus on labour market data forms part of a broader reform agenda being implemented by the GSS, which encompasses a range of ongoing and planned national surveys. These include the Ghana Living Standards Survey Round Two, slated for completion in early 2026, and the Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey, which commenced in 2023. Additionally, the GSS is conducting the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, focusing on poverty, HIV, and other key social indicators. Furthermore, a new Informal Employment Policy Study is being developed to address the specific characteristics of Ghana’s large informal sector, recognizing its significant contribution to the national economy. These surveys are crucial for providing comprehensive data on various socio-economic aspects, facilitating informed policymaking and targeted interventions.
Despite the ambitious scope of these initiatives, the GSS faces significant funding challenges. Prof. Iddrisu revealed that a substantial 85% of the funding for these vital statistical projects comes from foreign donors, a situation he described as unsustainable. He underscored the compelling economic returns of investing in data generation, citing UN estimates suggesting a $32 return for every dollar invested. This emphasizes the need for increased domestic investment in statistical capacity, reducing reliance on external funding and ensuring the long-term sustainability of data collection efforts. Prof. Iddrisu appealed to Parliament for support in shifting the funding model towards predominantly domestic sources, recognizing the crucial role of reliable data in national development planning.
Prof. Iddrisu emphasized the broad utility of high-quality, timely data, extending beyond executive decision-making to inform judicial processes, legislative debates, private sector investments, and international development assistance. He underscored the GSS’s commitment to accountability in the utilization of resources and pledged to maximize the impact of existing funds to build trust among stakeholders. This commitment to transparency and efficient resource management aims to strengthen public confidence in the GSS and its critical role in providing evidence-based insights for national development.
Furthermore, the GSS is forging a stronger partnership with Parliament through a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement will formalize collaboration in data production, capacity building, and shared access to critical economic and social indicators. This initiative builds upon a recent high-level engagement with the UK Office for National Statistics, involving key parliamentary figures, including the Speaker, majority and minority leaders, and various committee heads. This collaboration aims to enhance Parliament’s capacity for data-driven oversight and strengthen the link between evidence and policymaking. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Ranking Member of the Committee on Economy and Development, echoed the importance of data in national accountability, highlighting Parliament’s increasing reliance on robust data, including GDP growth, inflation, and labour statistics, to evaluate the effectiveness of public spending. This emphasis on data-driven assessment reflects a growing commitment to evidence-based policymaking and strengthens oversight mechanisms within the government.
