The Ghana Statistical Service has transferred 28 of its staff to the district statistics unit of the Local Government Service to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of work at the local level of administration.

The integration forms part of the on-going institutional reform programme of the Service which is undertaken with support from the Statistics for Results Facility Catalytic Fund and the International Development Association under the World Bank.

Mr Collins Dauda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the integration was part of government’s decentralization programme and was carved out of the wider Ghana Statistics Development Project implemented by 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said the integration was also to strengthen the national statistical system which comprises of data suppliers, producers, users, research and training institutions and development partners and ensure that relevant and quality statistics are produced on a timely basis.

The Minister said the Local Government Commencement Instrument, 2009 (LI 1961) enjoins district assemblies to have statistics as a unit within the central administration.

He urged the newly-transferred staff to overcome any obstacles that might come on their way and work diligently to ensure credible and reliable data for decision-making.

Dr Philomena Nyarko, Government Statistician, noted that statistics are indispensable for good governance and constituted a key element in the development planning process, adding that reliable and timely statistics are the basis for sound and effective decision-making.

She said the Service had in collaboration with development partners and staff of the district assemblies produced district census analytical reports for the 2016 for the Metropolitan, Municipal Districts Assemblies, following the 2010 Population and Housing Census.

Dr Nyarko said the integration process started in April 2011 with series of meetings and consultations with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

She noted that a sensitization workshop was organized in August 2014 for the staff to be integrated to equip them with a comprehensive understanding of the district assembly system, mandate, processes and procedures to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of work.

The newly-transferred staffs were presented with certificates for their dedication and loyalty to the service over the period of service.