The Ghana Statistical Service has said 181 districts out of the 272 in the ongoing 2021 National Population and Housing Census (PHC) have been covered.
The 2021 National Population and Housing Census (PHC) exercise technically ended on Sunday, July 11, 2021.
In a statement released by the Ghana Statistical Service, it noted that currently the completion rates in some districts based on the data received on the 12th day indicate that the enumeration will have to continue.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the North East Region had the highest data of 97 per cent enumeration, while the Greater Accra Region was the lowest with 55 per cent.
The GSS said it will extend the enumeration days to July 18, to complete the following Districts; Ga West, Ga North, Ayawaso West Municipal, Adentan Municipal, Ga East and Ledzokuku.
Others include, La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal, Kpone Katamanso, Shai Osudoku and Tema West
Stating reasons for the extension, the Ghana Statistical Service said some residents in specific households in the Districts listed are reluctant to participate in the census and inaccessibility of respondents (persons leaving early for work and returning late in urban areas, farming and mining communities).
“The interest of the general public in being counted is high. The call centre has received over 2,000 calls from the public with concerns of not being listed or enumerated; questions about the exhaustiveness of the interview, and concerns about enumerator identity. In some cases, they are also calling the District Census Officers, Regional Statisticians and other Census Officials directly.” GSS stated
The counting of all persons in transit and in short stay at places such as hospitals, guest houses and hospital in-patients started on Sunday, June 27, the day designated as the Census Night.
However, enumeration of persons in households and long stay institutions and their homes began the following day, June 28, and continued for two weeks, to today, July 11, 2021.
Ghana conducted its first census in 1891, during British colonial rule. It has, since independence, conducted five censuses — 1960, 1970, 1984, 2000, with the most recent one being the 2010 census, which said Ghana’s population then was 24.7 million.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW.
2021 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS
Press Briefing
Ghana Statistical Service | 11th July 2021 | 3pm
1. Ghana Statistical Service expresses its appreciation to the public for their cooperation with census officials during the period.
2. The interest of the general public in being counted is high. The call centre has received over 2,000 calls from the public with concerns of not being listed or enumerated; questions about the exhaustiveness of the interview, and concerns about enumerator identity. In some cases, they are also calling the District Census Officers, Regional Statisticians and other Census Officials directly.
3. Data has been received on 80% of the expected households as at the 12th day of enumeration with 12 out of the 16 regions above 80%. This ranges from 97% in the North East to 55% in Greater Accra.
4. To put these figures in context, the numbers are based on the data that has been transmitted electronically to Headquarters. In some areas, Enumerators are unable to transmit their data due to poor or absent internet connectivity.
5. Out of the 272 statistical districts, 181 are on course to complete data collection today.
6. Currently the completion rates in some districts based on the data received by the 12th day indicate that the enumeration will have to continue.
These include:
a. Ga West
b. Ga North
c. Ayawaso West Municipal
d. Adentan Municipal
e. Ga East
f. Ledzokuku
g. La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal
h. Kpone Katamanso
i. Shai Osudoku
j. Tema West
7. Reasons for the below expected pace of work in selected areas
a. Reluctance of residents in specific households to participate in the census
b. Unwillingness of entire communities to participate in the census due to boundary issues
c. Inaccessibility of respondents (persons leaving early for work and returning late in urban areas, farming and mining communities).
d. Larger than expected number of structures/population in rapidly expanding urban areas
e. Whenever, a member of the public calls with questions/concerns about the completeness and content of the interview, an investigation must be conducted which involves the Enumerator and Supervisor being pulled from the field
8. Field closure activities have began in Supervisory Areas where work has been completed.
9. An initial mop-up period of 12th to 18th July has been scheduled to complete the work in the outstanding enumeration areas.
10.GSS wishes to assure members of the public who are yet to be counted that no one will be left behind. Members of the public who have not been counted should contact the census call centre on the tollfree number 0800-426-426 or on 059-147-6893, 059-147-6895, 059-476-884, or 020-685-0157
11.Census Management is appealing to the members of the public who are unwilling to be enumerated to cooperate with Enumerators.
12.To persons yet to be counted, please make yourselves available by using the callback card or informing your neighbours when you will be available.
