$49m approved for census

A $49-million budget has been approved by the government for the execution of next year's population and housing census. Half of the amount will be provided by the government, while the other half will come from some of the country's development partners. The Government Statistician, Dr Grace Bediako, gave the details at the inauguration of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Census Implementation Committee (AMACIC) in Accra, Tuesday. Members of the AMACIC include Messrs J. A. Tuffuor, Moses Ansah, Timothy Omar, Frank Asante, Nii Okaija Dinsey, K. D. Osei and Richard K. Oduro. The rest are Ms Lucile Annan and Ms Marian Mensah. Dr Bediako said the 2010 census would provide updated data on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics at all levels. She added that it would also afford the country the opportunity to revise its electoral areas and constituencies, as well as enhance knowledge relating to housing for future planning. She said the AMACIC would facilitate the recruitment and training of field personnel, supervision, as well as help in the execution of the pilot census project in the metropolis. The project, which takes off in October, will be piloted in two districts in the Osu and the Ayawaso areas.Dr Bediako said the committee would deliver reports and a feedback on the activities of the field personnel. She noted that 92 out of the 170 districts had been zoned into smaller areas for the pilot project. "The successful outcome of the pilot project will contribute to the success of the 2010 census,” she added.The Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Vanderpuije, said a better plan for the nation required available and reliable data, for which reason the census was laudable. He encouraged the committee to be dedicated and committed to ensure a successful outcome for the pilot project.

Source: Daily Graphic