We are committed to delivering credible, timely, and relevant data – Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu

Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu is Ghana's new Government Statistician. He aims to strengthen the country's data ecosystem. His goal is to support national development with accurate and timely statistics.

During his swearing-in at Jubilee House on May 2, Dr. Iddrisu spoke to President John Dramani Mahama. He assured him that the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) will provide credible data for economic recovery and growth.

Dr. Iddrisu emphasized their commitment to delivering relevant data. This data will support various government initiatives, including the 24-hour economic policy and anti-corruption efforts.

He mentioned that the GSS will proactively anticipate future data needs. This approach is essential for a rapidly changing economy and ambitious population.

The new Statistician outlined plans for statistical reforms, especially in inflation reporting. Currently, inflation data ends at the regional level, but this will change.

These reforms aim to support the government's decentralization agenda. They will also help inform inflation policy at the district level.

Dr. Iddrisu plans to generate Consumer Price Index (CPI) data that distinguishes between rural and urban areas. This will provide a clearer picture of inflation's impact across Ghana.

Regarding GDP reporting, he announced steps to improve national economic measurements. He plans to fast-track rebasing of GDP data for accuracy and relevance.

Dr. Iddrisu also called for institutionalizing GDP rebasing every five years. This will ensure that GDP statistics meet global standards and remain relevant over time.