2020 PHC, Bono Regional implementation Committee inaugurated

GNA – Mr Siaka Stevens, the Deputy Bono Regional Minister, has inaugurated a Regional Census implementation committee, and tasked the seven-member body to intensify publicity and education programmes on the 2020 Population and Housing (PHC) Census.

The Committee comprises representatives from the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS), the Census implementers, Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Information Services Department (ISD), Traditional Authorities and the Ghana Education Service (GES).

They have been assigned to facilitate the inaugurations of sub-committees in the Districts and Municipalities that would subsequently oversee the successful execution of the Census in the region.

Mr Stevens, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jaman North, said the PHC was an indispensable governance tool, required to ensure that good governance and democracy worked for all.

He said the role of the PHC in the development of a nation could not be over-emphasised in terms of quality of decision-making and outcome of development planning.

Mr Stevens took the Committee through the oaths of office and secrecy, and expressed  optimism that the members would provide the skills and competencies needed for the successful conduct of the census to attain the best quality results.

Mr George Osei, the Head of Census Secretariat at the GSS, said Ghana has a long history of PHC because the first took place in 1891 in the colonial era and the last in 2010.

The United Nations (UN) recommends that every country should endeavour to undertake a PHC every 10 years.

“As we intensify the publicity and education programme, and roll out to communities, we must get to every settlement, home or institution, group and individuals, during the Census count to record all inhabitants and their characteristics”, he told the Committee.

During the main field work, every structure whether used for residential, business, social or religious functions are identified and listed.

At the actual collection of household and institutional population information, all individuals, irrespective of nationality and country of residence status, once within the country’s borders at a single reference point (census night) should have their characteristics (demographic, social and economic) recorded.

Mr Osei said significant progress has been made towards the 2020 PHC, saying the inauguration of the implementation Committees marked the beginning of the field operations.

On behalf of the Committee, Mr Kwaku Gyimah, the Bono Regional Coordinating Director, thanked the GSS for the confidence reposed in them saying the Committee would work assiduously for the success of the Census.

GNA