Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, former Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has been appointed as the Chairman of the newly reconstituted Governing Board of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). This appointment marks a significant shift in leadership as the GSS seeks to bolster the nation’s data infrastructure and ensure the provision of accurate and timely statistics for evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Baah’s extensive experience in labor economics, policy advocacy, and institutional reform is expected to be instrumental in guiding the GSS’s strategic direction and strengthening its capacity to effectively collect, analyze, and disseminate vital data for national development.
The seven-member board, sworn into office on July 7, 2025, comprises a diverse group of experts representing various fields. Alongside Dr. Baah, the board includes Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, Mrs. Nelly Mireku, Director of Research at the Ministry of Finance, along with other distinguished members: Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, Prof. Mariama Awumbila, Dr. Philomena Nyarko, and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor. This blend of expertise across statistical operations, economic research, and policy development is expected to provide a robust framework for the GSS’s operations.
During the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko emphasized the critical role of the GSS in providing reliable data to inform national development planning and policymaking. He underscored the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and timeliness in statistical data collection and dissemination, highlighting the board’s responsibility in upholding these crucial principles. Accurate and readily available data is essential for effective governance, enabling evidence-based policy formulation and program implementation.
Dr. Baah, in his acceptance remarks, expressed his gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for their confidence in his leadership. He pledged to work closely with the board and the management of the GSS to enhance Ghana’s data systems and ensure the provision of comprehensive and robust statistics to support national development. His prior experience as TUC boss, where he championed fair labor policies and facilitated national dialogues on employment and equity, is expected to bring a unique perspective to his leadership of the GSS.
Dr. Baah’s appointment signifies a strategic move to leverage his expertise and experience to modernize and strengthen the GSS. His track record of advocating for policy reforms and driving institutional change suggests a commitment to transforming the GSS into a more dynamic and effective agency. This is crucial for ensuring that the GSS can meet the evolving data needs of the nation and contribute meaningfully to evidence-based decision-making across various sectors.
The reconstituted board assumes its responsibilities at a crucial time for Ghana’s development. As the nation strives to achieve its development goals, reliable and timely data are essential for monitoring progress, identifying challenges, and informing policy adjustments. The GSS plays a critical role in providing this vital information, and the new board, under Dr. Baah’s leadership, is expected to usher in a new era of enhanced data collection, analysis, and dissemination, ultimately contributing to more effective national development planning and policy implementation.
