The provisional census figures provided by the Statistical Service in the last national population census conducted in the 2010 population and housing census has come under severe scrutiny and a conclusion has been drawn by a citizen of the Upper West Region, Mr. Adamu Mukaila that the provisional figures are inaccurate.

Mr. Adamu’s argument is very simple and basic. Figures he obtained from the regional office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) office showed that more people registered under the scheme than the counting and the statistical service figures captured during the population and housing census period, this he said is an anomaly which cannot be swept under the carpet. Mr. Adamu said his attention was drawn when the provisional census figures were announced. He quickly grabbed that of the Upper West Region for a very careful study and analysis. In his possession was a copy of registered number of people under the NHIS in the region.

A cursory look at the figures showed over ninety-eight thousand (98,000) difference between the NHIS and the Statistical Service figures.

For example, he said the provisional figures given by the statistical service is 677,763, but figures of NHIS shows that 775,777 have been registered, giving a very sharp difference of over 98,000. This he said must be challenged, since development now is based on the strength of population figures.

Arguing furthermore, Mr. Adamu said the problem may further be compounded by the fact that under the NHIS many people have not been captured under the scheme, this will exacerbate the situation when presumably, over two hundred thousand people may not have been captured under the scheme since in the Upper West Region it is not everybody who is insured. He said he can put his chest out and say that over twenty percent of the population may not have been insured under the scheme. He said the 98,000 difference in percentage terms is about ten percent which according to him is a significant figure. “Anything above five percent in statistical compilation is a very significant figure”, he said. Citing another example, Mr. Adamu said, in the water sector, the Upper West Region is perceived to have a high percentage coverage but in actual terms, this may not be entirely true if the authorities depend on incorrect population figures in providing social amenities.

He said regarding the situation in Upper West Region, the provision of water may appear to be above the national average, which is not true on the ground. He called on the government and good people of the Upper West Region to treat this issue of inaccurate figures in the provisional results with all the seriousness it deserves since it is closely linked to regional development. When asked by this reporter whether he was not being an alarmist, he debunked that notion and said he is a citizen of the Upper West Region and it is his responsibility to right certain wrongs affecting of the region.