Statistical integrity is not a luxury, it’s a necessity – Mahama to new GSS boss

President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the importance of statistical independence for national development. He urged the new Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, to focus on impartiality and accuracy at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

During Dr. Iddrisu’s swearing-in ceremony on May 2, Mahama stressed that credible data is vital for good governance and accountability. He stated, “Statistical integrity is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.” Citizens must trust that the numbers from GSS are objective and free from political influence.

Mahama noted that credible macroeconomic data is crucial for both local and international confidence. “Investors need assurance that Ghana’s data is reliable,” he said. Development partners also require measurable and verifiable results.

He encouraged Dr. Iddrisu to lead with courage and independence. “Speak truth to power, even when the data is uncomfortable,” Mahama advised. He also urged collaboration with stakeholders, ministries, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

The President connected data integrity to his governance philosophy. “We’re building a model based on transparency, performance, and accountability,” he explained. Timely and detailed data is essential in areas like health, education, agriculture, and urban planning to guide implementation and measure results effectively.