Chief census methodologist at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Owusu Kagya, has disclosed that the successive mop up exercises for the population and housing census were anticipated.

According to him, the population census had “two sets of objectives” which sought to achieve “complete coverage” and quality data.

His comments follow a second extension of the population census date to August 8 by the GSS.

“We decided to extend the number of days to make sure that the enumerators on the ground are able to cover all the people that we expect to cover. Yes, after the end of that extension for the few areas that we needed to do mop up, we assessed the situation on the ground… to make sure we cover these areas.

“These mop up exercises were anticipated because we were aware from the trial censuses and past censuses that we had conducted”.
Owusu Kagya

Furthermore, Mr Kagya emphasized that as explained by the GSS statistician, they “are currently having challenges with about three districts”. The districts includes Kpone Katamanso, Ga North and Ga West districts in the Greater Accra Region.

That notwithstanding, he expressed optimism that in the next two to three days, they should bring “closure to activities there”.

“We also will have areas that would grow up after our marking exercise… that we did three years ago. That is what is happening in the three districts in Greater Accra that I know”.
Owusu Kagya

Resolving census challenges

Essentially, Mr Kagya asserted that the challenged areas had “grown up in terms of population”. As such, the number of enumerators designated there became fatigued and could not finish within stipulated time.

“Our expectation is that in all these areas by 8^th, we should bring closure to the activity. So, depending on the responses… we are mobilising our resources to make sure that the people are enumerated in these areas”.
Owusu Kagya

Touching on availability of funds for the extension, Mr Kagya explained that it “isn’t a problem for now”.

Justifying his stance, he opined that such occurrences “were anticipated and so plans had been made”. Plans according to him included the payment of enumerators for work undertaken by them.

“So, we usually will pay a portion of what is due you and when we have assessed your work… that is when we pay the remaining amount”.
Owusu Kagya

Extension of census exercise

Government Statistician, Prof Annim has announced that the Census exercise has been extended for the third and final time from August 1, to August 8.

Based on this, he revealed that “the Service will withdraw from the field on August 8, 2021”.

The first extension started from Monday July 12 to 18, while the second one started from Monday July 19 to July 31.

Citing reasons for the final mop-up, Prof Annim explained that challenges include refusals to participate in the exercise and difficulty in reaching people in restricted areas.

He noted that the coverage was assessed at three levels, which are community, households and persons. Prof Annim, however stressed that, household validation and correction of errors was currently ongoing.