The Chief Census Methodologist, Mr. Johnson Owusu Kagya, has disclosed that some category of citizens will be enumerated on the eve of census also known as Census night.
Speaking in an interview on the activities and processes for the exercise, he explained those at hospital and at the bus terminals embarking on long journeys will be enumerated early due to certain circumstances.
He further cleared the misconception that everyone will be counted on the census night and explained that, only these group of people will be enumerated on the census night but for the majority of the population, the enumeration will be done between the 28th June and the 11 July.
“And so for persons that will be enumerated on census night, one of the categories will be people who were in the hospital [on admission] on census night. Not those taking care of them. They will be enumerated at home.”
Johnson Kagya
The second group of people who will be enumerated on census night,;he indicated are people referred to as floating population. He stated that these are people who may be travelling on the census night;or may have returned from their journey.
“So, you will find them at the Airport and at bus terminals. We are referring to persons travelling long distances by road or in the air. So, once we find out that you are leaving the country,;then at the point of departure is when we will enumerate you.”
Johnson Kagya
Report people who stop cars to enumerate
Mr. Kagya further cautioned that no group of census officers will be stopping cars at vantage points to enumerate them. He urged for such persons to be reported to the police immediately.
“On that night we will not stop buses on the road and count people. What we will do is that, before they take off at the point of departure then we enumerate these persons.
Johnson Kagya
“So, if anyone says they are stopping buses to enumerate persons, then they should be arrested and handed over to the police.”
Johnson Kagya
He further indicated that the data collection exercise which began on 13th June is expected to end on the June 26 to enable the census commence.
Explaining the process involved in the census, he said that the census field data collection is in two parts, with the first part being the listing of structures across the country.
“And this is where we identify all structures within the country and collect basic information about these structures and also identify all households that live in these structures.”
Johnson Kagya
Census night celebration to address concerns
Mr. Kagya also disclosed that a celebration will be used to mark the census night before the enumeration of the country commences which he said is the second phase of the census.
He posited that the celebration will be used to addressed issues and concerns regarding the exercise.
“The census night basically is our reference point where all the questions on the census questionnaires will be referred to. And so basically, when the enumerator comes to you, she will ask you where you spent the census night and that basically will help us to count every individual once.”
Johnson Kagya
