UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL
WORKSHOP ON DATA DISSEMINATION
AND COMMUNICATION
TOPIC:
Promoting Effective Dissemination of
Data – Ghana’s experience
VENUE: Amman, Jordan
DATE: 9th September, 2013
Presenter: GODWIN ODEI GYEBI
Statistical Service, Ghana
1
Introduction
• The recent trend in development of data and
dissemination and communication is an integral
component of effective and efficient planning and
management.
• In as much as data is important for planning, it is
also a crucial element for monitoring and
evaluation of policies and programs.
• Data – being census, survey and administrative
data is not complete until it is made available to
potential users in a form that is suitable to their
demands.
Statistical Service, Ghana
2
Dissemination in the past
• In the past, dissemination of data is
mainly done through the printing (hard
copies) of reports.
• The reports are distributed to only a
few institutions and individuals.
• Such reports are mainly kept in our
offices, libraries and home.
Statistical Service, Ghana
3
Dissemination in the past
–produced as tables in unpublished
form for limited distribution
–stored in a database and supplied
upon request
–dissemination seminars and
workshops at the national, regional
levels, etc.
Statistical Service, Ghana
4
Dissemination in the past
• The purpose of the dissemination workshops is
to provide data (censuses, surveys,
administrative) to planners, administrators and
researchers.
• Such direct interactions between the producers
of data (census and surveys) and its users would
enable the latter to understand the impact of
data
• For broader consultation with stakeholders on
the use of the data.
Statistical Service, Ghana
5
The need for a shift
• The fast-growing uses of computer and its
networking call for wider and deeper electronic
dissemination of products with user-friendly
interface, efficient retrieval and manipulation
functionality.
• The need to change from paper work to
electronic form of dissemination – which should
be able to get to wider users within a very short
time.
• The change should be more visual, more
personal, more social
Statistical Service, Ghana
6
Current dissemination - Electronic
• Collect structured time series data on all variables
and indicators and store at the respective data
silos:






IMIS – Integrated Management Information System
GhanaInfo
CountryStat
National Data Archives
CensusInfo
Metadata Handbook on National Development
Indicators
 Handbook on statistical compendium
Statistical Service, Ghana
7
GhanaInfo
• GhanaInfo is the national adaptation of Dev Info software, a
global initiative funded by the United Nations.
• It is Ghana’s Socio-Economic and demographic Indicator
Database.
• It is a user-friendly computer program for storage, retrieval,
comparison and dissemination of a wide range of indicators
from different sources - national surveys, censuses and
administrative systems.
• GhanaInfo also allows the user to retrieve and compare
indicator data values across multiple time periods,
geographic levels, and other sub-group dis-aggregations.
Data presentation is possible with tables, graphs and maps.
Statistical Service, Ghana
8
REDATAM Software
• Population databases are highly recommended
as they greatly expand the usability and enhance
the dissemination of census data.
• Databases on micro-data (individual records)
permit retrieval of data at any level of detail.
• They are ideal tools to produce small-area
statistics.
• This package enables data users to easily derive
information from the database, including new
variables, tabulations and other outputs.
Statistical Service, Ghana
9
Making Census Dataset available to
users at the Local Government Level
• Training District Planning Officers in the
use of REDATAM to generate tables and
indicators
• Assist district officers to produce their
own census analytical reports
• Disseminate the District Census
Analytical reports
Statistical Service, Ghana
10
Current Implementing Strategy and Future
Plans for Information Communication
• The GSS has set up a Resource Data Centre (RDC)
which became operational in the second half of
the year.
• The RDC is expected to manage all the statistics
and indicators produced and databases within
the Service.
• The RDC has three main units: Statistical
Production Unit, Data Warehouse Unit and Data
Service Units.
Statistical Service, Ghana
11
Establishment of a Resource and
Data Centre
• The dissemination role includes organization
of regular and press releases, TV interviews
and media briefing; release of publications;
and responding to data requests.
• This unit will be tasked with the responsibility
of responding to all kinds of data needs.
Statistical Service, Ghana
12
2010 Population and Housing Census Reports
• Summary Results of 2010 PHC
• National and Regional Demographic Analysis Reports
• Monographs
MONOGRAPHS FROM THE 2010 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS DATA
Children, Adolescent and Youth
Economic characteristics
Women and Men
Urbanization
Housing Conditions
Population Projections
Fertility
MDGs in Ghana
Mortality
Education and Literacy
Migration
Disability
Elderly
Non-monetary Poverty in Ghana
Statistical Service, Ghana
13
Disseminating through Thematic Maps –
Census Atlas
• Apart from the analytical reports and the
monographs, thematic maps (Census Atlas)
has also produced and hard copies
distributed.
• The Census Atlas is the primary
geographically-based product used for
purposes of disseminating census 2010
data.
• It shows the spatial distribution of one or
more specific data themes for standard
geographic areas.
Statistical Service, Ghana
14
POPULATION DENSITY
Statistical Service, Ghana
15
Persons enumerated in different region of birth
Statistical Service, Ghana
16
Monthly Press release of CPI and PPI
• Each month the press is invited for
the release of the Consumer Price
Index and Producer Price Index.
• This gives the opportunity to the
press to interact with staff on the
release and for statistical literacy.
Statistical Service, Ghana
17
Challenges in data dissemination
• A major challenge is to complete the
transition from a paper-based statistical
publishing regime to web-based publishing
regime.
– Greater uptake of electronic dissemination in a
way that improves communication
– Continues improvements in the usability,
accessibility of web-site
– Providing more self-help facilities for users.
Statistical Service, Ghana
18
END OF PRESENTATION
THANK YOU
Statistical Service, Ghana
19