Ghana Statistical Service and 25 MDAs Sign MoUs to Boost Data-Driven Governance

By Tina Moses Sam
The Ghana Statistical Service has signed Memoranda of Understanding with 25 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in a major step aimed at strengthening data-driven governance across the country.
The agreements are designed to improve collaboration within Ghana’s National Statistical System by enabling structured sharing of administrative data among key government institutions. Officials say the initiative will help address fragmentation in government data systems and support more informed policy decisions.
Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu described the development as a turning point in the country’s efforts to ensure that data generated within government institutions actively supports national planning and development.
According to him, the signing ceremony represents a shift from general commitments toward concrete actions that will allow institutions to work together in producing reliable national statistics.
The institutions that signed the memoranda manage some of the most significant administrative datasets within government. These datasets cover sectors such as education, social protection, economic development, public safety, infrastructure, natural resources, creative arts, and technology.

By formalising data sharing arrangements, the agreements aim to strengthen collaboration between the statistical service and these institutions, allowing for the integration of administrative data into the production of official national statistics.
Officials believe the initiative will enable the government to make more accurate and timely assessments of social and economic conditions across the country.
The improved coordination is also expected to reduce duplication in data collection activities among public institutions while improving the efficiency of the national statistical system.
The agreements are grounded in the Statistical Service Act, 2019 (Act 1003), which provides the legal foundation for the coordination and regulation of official statistics in Ghana.
Implementation will also be guided by the Data Quality Assurance Framework and the Code of Ethics and Practice for the National Statistical System, both of which outline standards for data quality, confidentiality, and responsible use of information.
In addition, the initiative aligns with the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics III, which seeks to strengthen Ghana’s statistical capacity and improve the availability of reliable data for policymaking.
Officials emphasised that these frameworks ensure that the exchange of administrative data across institutions is conducted responsibly while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.