2010 CENSUS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (GHANA)

2010 census for national development

 Population and Housing Census is the official enumeration of all persons and all living quarters in a country at a given time. Census taken in Ghana has ten years interval, the last census that was witness in Ghana was that of the 2000 population census.

In another perspective it implies collection, compilation, evaluation, publication and dissemination of demographic, social and economic statistics relating to a population.

1. The success of the 2010 population and housing census depends on you and I as citizens of our great nation Ghana. Looking at the essence of census it aimed at given government and other development partners the actual characteristics of   the population of the land.

Looking at the importance of population and housing census for the development of the country, one needs to be reminded to fully participate to make it a success.

The first Population Census in Ghana was conducted in 1891 during the Gold Coast era. The significant use of Population and Housing Census cannot be overemphasized as far as development is concerned. It enables the Government to allocate funds equitably and properly for community programmes and service including education, housing healthcare for the elderly and children.

This census taking as that time enable the governors to plan for an effective way of formulating policies aimed at developing gold coast as at that time. For this country to be fully developed leaders and the populace needs to attach seriousness to this important national exercise. Everyday we hear complains of no bore holes, electricity, schools, health care centre so much and so forth in some communities in the country. Why? Is it that the government is insensitive to some this pressing issues? The answer is no. the main reasons why these neglect often occurs is that some communities do not provide the requisite information needed by officials of the Ghana statistical service during the conduct of the census. Some even to some extend dodge the exercise thinking when capture will pay tax or the data will be used against them. These are some of the perception I want some section of Ghanaians to discards for us this time have a smooth and successful 2010 census.

Besides the above, District Assemblies use census data as a yardstick for the allocation of funds for the construction of new roads, water, community libraries and other development projects.  Just like I state earlier, apart from central government using the census data your own district, municipal, metropolitan assemblies used these same data to plan developmental activities in the local level. Lets take for example, a small community like Nator in the Nadowli district needs certain basic infrastructural amenities like clinic and school building with their ever increasing population and this same people refused to comply with census officers during the census process for the government to used these data for the development of the area and also addressing the pressing needs of these same people . these same people will turn to blame government of neglecting their plea. One thing I want all Ghana Ghanaians to know is that the census is not just about counting the human person, but its goes beyond that, it takes into consideration , your educational status, either you are employed or not, types of building you are living in and some basic stuff about your general welfare. This time the Ghana statistical service want s to know any government amenities near your area, be it a school building, health centre e.t.c.  and also the number of disable people in our societies, this you may deem unnecessary and also might say its gross evasion of privacy , but its geared towards given the government the right information geared towards formulating policies towards addressing the numerous problems you are facing in your communities.

Additionally, organizations rely solely on census information data to provide social services. Aside the above,  business organizations use the data as a tool for locating factories, shopping centre, banks and offices which in turns create jobs for the flock of unemployed citizens in the country. Developed countries also need census data when planning technical and economic assistance to third world countries. For all you may know investors investors look for places where the population is dense.

The situation where by an investor wants to site a plant or a factory in a region and is after lets say twenty five thousand populace in that particular region or district, but because some group of people have decided not to be counted in the census exercise, this will definitely reduce the number of people in that particular area there forfeiting the company investment in that area. Can you imagine that loss to the district or region?

Do you want your area to be made a district or constituency? I believe you will say of course? But you refused to aid census officers with relevant information regarding obtaining accurate data about your area. For all you may know, the creation of a district or a constituency is all about numbers. Providing the right information may qualify your area to be fortunate in getting these things since Census data also guide the Electoral Commission in determining constituency boundaries. The Central Government and District Assemblies need census to enable them to monitor the structure of the population in order to make policy planning and administration more effective.

It is against this backdrop that the Government of Ghana intends conducting Population and Housing Census in March next year. It is, therefore, imperative for all stakeholders and Ghanaians to participate actively in the exercises by staying at their areas of residence to be counted and give accurate information and to cooperate with the enumerators and supervisors since this would benefit the entire Ghanaians.

Government should also start lobbying its development partners to get the half of the funding for the Population and Housing Census to make the programme successfully.

The Media has a very crucial role to play in this direction by informing and educating the citizens about the importance of the Population and Housing Census and encouraging people to actively participate in the exercise.

Information to be disseminated by the Media should be well packaged to persuade the citizens to actively participate in this important national exercise.

The Information Service Department (ISD) also has a crucial role to play by propagating to the masses about the importance of the Population and Housing Census. The ISD should be able to penetrate the rural settings to spread the message to the rural folks to participate in the exercise.

The Media and the ISD should be assisted by the Government to begin propagating the messages now to get everybody involved in the exercise

Let us all join hands together to make the Population and Housing Census a very successful one so that together as Ghanaians we would benefit from it. All hands including the Government, stakeholders, civil society organizations and the Ghanaians must put all hands on the deck to make the programme a very fruitful one.

Am using this medium to appeal to my brothers and sisters in the north to cooperate with census official during the census night for the government to get the true picture of the north, this will in turn make government to plan effectively  to wards the development of the north. I must tell you that this new program savannah accelerated development program aimed at bridging the gap between the north and the south will be impossible for implementation if accurate data of the various communities are not properly captured in the upcoming 2010 census. Its my business, your business and every ones business.

                                          CREDIT: MWINI GABRIEL.

                                         RADIO PROGRESS WA

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