Synchronised data collection key to national development — Reps

Representatives from the meteorology, water, maritime and statistical sectors have converged on Accra to build synergies on how to unleash the potential of data in decision-making and the overall economic development of the country.

The conference, organised by the Danish Embassy, seeks to synchronise data collection from the different sectors of the economy and allow them to "speak to each other."

It was also to brainstorm on how to make data more accessible in Ghana and promote its effective use.

In a presentation, the Deputy Government Statistician, Dr Faustina Frempong-Ainguah, bemoaned the different silos of data collection, saying no one source could solve the problems of Ghana.

She said it was time to put the vast information on data collection together and address the disconnects that had the propensity for "promoting conflict in arriving at an agreed data."

The deputy Government Statistician said it was time for various collectors of data to engage final users to ensure that Ghana was not left out in the statistical revolution.

"Data must be connected to policy and must influence decision-making. Together we hope to unleash the potential of data and empower authorities and decision-makers to make more well-informed and data-grounded decisions," she said.

Ambassador

The Danish Ambassador, Tom Norring, said the power of data helped to make smarter decisions that drove both the green transition and economic growth. 

"Access to data is, therefore, a key to unlocking that potential," he said.

In highlighting the importance of data, the ambassador said, for instance, the use of crowd-sourced data, combined with satellite images by the Ghana Maritime Authority on vessels on the Volta Lake had helped to establish safe routes on the lake. 

Data

Data is a raw form of information without proper meaning or usefulness unless it is processed and transformed into meaningful forms.