Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu has called for stronger recognition of the Ghana Statistical Service as the central authority coordinating the country’s data ecosystem, saying reliable statistics are critical to economic management, investment and public policy.
He made the comments during his participation in the Future of Data side event at the United Nations Statistical Commission in New York, where Iddrisu said national statistical offices must play a stronger role in integrating data collected across government institutions to ensure consistency and credibility.
“Robust data and statistics are the strategic foundation for sustainable financing and effective governance,” he said during discussions linked to the Financing for Development 4 agenda. Dr. Iddrisu said multiple institutions generate economic and social data, including the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Bank of Ghana, but the national statistical office must serve as the central coordinator to ensure quality assurance and coherence across datasets.
The statistician argued that governments should treat data systems as core national infrastructure rather than a supplementary function. “We must view data not as an add-on, but as core infrastructure for government operations, enabling evidence-based policymaking, smarter debt management, and attracting essential investments,” he said.
Dr. Iddrisu said improved statistical systems could also deliver strong economic returns, citing global estimates that suggest every dollar invested in data systems can generate about $32 in value through improved policy decisions and transparency. “The return on investment for statistics is astounding, an estimated $32 for every $1 invested,” he said.
He added that stronger coordination between the statistical service and other public institutions would help eliminate fragmented data systems and improve decision-making.
“Our NSO must be the nexus, working hand-in-hand with all data producers, from the Ghana Revenue Authority to data producing MDAs to the Bank of Ghana, to integrate information and provide a ‘seal of trust’ that makes data actionable,” he said. Dr. Iddrisu also urged stronger collaboration with international partners through initiatives such as the Sevilla Platform for Action to ensure external support for data systems aligns with national priorities.
He said securing sustainable financing for national statistical development should be treated as a political priority, with government institutions and parliament working together to strengthen the country’s data value chain.
“We must continue to proactively engage with our Ministry of Finance and parliamentary representatives, demonstrating the tangible benefits of investing in our entire data value chain – from foundational data collection to advanced analysis and transparent and clear dissemination,” he said. According to Dr. Iddrisu, predictable funding and stronger institutional coordination could help transform data into a key driver of economic growth and public accountability.
