We Aren’t Policy Advisers, We Generate the Information – Government Statistician Clarifies GSS’ Position

In a crucial clarification that cuts to the heart of evidence-based governance, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician of Ghana, has firmly delineated the boundary between data production and political policy advice. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he emphasized that the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) operates as a foundational data producer, not a policy advisory body. This distinction is fundamental to understanding the role of national statistical systems in supporting credible, transparent, and effective national development planning. This article explores the nuance behind this statement, the mandate of the GSS, and why this separation of functions is vital for Ghana’s economic and social progress.

Key Points: The Core Mandate of the Ghana Statistical Service

The clarification by Dr. Iddrisu highlights several non-negotiable principles of official statistics. The following points summarize the GSS’s stated position and operational ethos:

• Primary Function is Data Generation: The GSS’s constitutional and legal mandate is to produce, compile, analyze, and disseminate high-quality, reliable, and timely statistical information on Ghana’s economy, population, and society. It is the primary source for official national statistics.
• Not a Policy Advisory Body: The Service does not formulate, recommend, or advise the government or any institution on specific policy choices, legislative actions, or political strategies. Interpretation of data for policy prescription is outside its core function.
• Supplier for Evidence-Based Decision-Making: The GSS provides the essential raw material—credible data—that all economic and social actors (government ministries, departments, agencies, private sector, academia, civil society, and citizens) require to make informed decisions.
• Supports Macroeconomic Management & Planning: While it does not advise, the data it generates is indispensable for macroeconomic analysis, national development planning, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs (like the Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework), and tracking progress towards national and global goals (e.g., SDGs).
• Universal Provider: Its data products and services are intended for the entire national ecosystem, not solely for the executive branch of government. This ensures a level playing field of information for all stakeholders in the economy.
• Guardian of Statistical Integrity: By focusing on production, the GSS protects the impartiality and technical integrity of the statistical process, shielding it from real or perceived political influence that could compromise data credibility.

Background: The Ghana Statistical Service and Its Legal Mandate

Historical Context and Evolution

The roots of official statistics in Ghana trace back to the colonial era, but the modern Ghana Statistical Service was established post-independence to support national planning. Its role has evolved significantly, especially with the adoption of the 1992 Constitution and the passage of the Statistical Service Act, 2019 (Act 837). This Act solidified its independence and defined its functions explicitly. The Act mandates the GSS to serve as the central authority for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the National Statistical System (NSS), which includes all ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and research institutions that produce official statistics.

The Legal Distinction: Producer vs. User

Act 837 is clear. The GSS is responsible for the production of official statistics. The use of these statistics for policy analysis, formulation, and advice is the responsibility of line ministries (e.g., Ministry of Finance for fiscal policy, Ministry of Trade for trade policy), regulatory bodies, and think tanks. The law envisions a pipeline: GSS collects and processes data → publishes indicators and micro-data → policymakers and analysts within other institutions use this data to conduct research, model scenarios, and develop policy proposals. The GSS provides the map; others decide the journey.

International Standards and Best Practices

This separation aligns with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the UNECE Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. These global standards stress professional independence, impartiality, and transparency for statistical agencies. A core tenet is that statistical production must be free from political interference to maintain public trust. The role of a national statistical office (NSO) is universally recognized as a data producer and disseminator, not a policy advocate. Dr. Iddrisu’s comments position the GSS squarely within this international consensus.

Analysis: Why the Distinction Between Data Generation and Policy Advice is Critical

Confusing the role of a statistical agency with that of a policy think-tank or a ministry has profound implications for governance, economic management, and public trust.

1. Preserving Credibility and Public Trust

Public and market confidence in official statistics is paramount. If the GSS were seen as advising on policy, its data releases could be perceived as politically motivated or tailored to support a pre-decided government agenda. This would undermine the perceived objectivity of figures like GDP growth, inflation (CPI), unemployment, and poverty rates. By maintaining a strict firewall between production and prescription, the GSS safeguards its reputation as a neutral arbiter of facts. Trust in data is a public good; once eroded, it is difficult to restore.

2. Ensuring Accountability in Policy-Making

When data is produced by an independent agency, it creates a clear accountability trail. Policymakers must use the available data to justify their decisions. They cannot blame the data producer if a policy fails, nor can they easily dismiss unfavorable data as “biased.” For example, if the GSS publishes high inflation figures, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank must account for their monetary and fiscal policies in light of that data. The statistician explains the “what”; the policymaker must explain the “why” and “how” of the response.

3. Enabling a Pluralistic Evidence Ecosystem

By providing neutral data to all actors, the GSS fuels a healthy marketplace of ideas. Opposition parties, private sector analysts, NGOs, and academics can all access the same primary data to conduct their own analyses and propose alternative policies. This leads to more robust debate, better scrutiny of government proposals, and ultimately, stronger policies that have been stress-tested from multiple perspectives. A GSS that advises would crowd out this pluralism.

4. Focusing on Technical Excellence

The complex methodologies involved in national accounting (GDP), price indices (CPI), labor force surveys, and censuses require intense technical focus. Diverting resources or institutional attention towards policy advocacy would dilute this core technical capacity. The GSS must continuously improve its methods, adopt international standards (like SNA 2008 for national accounts), and leverage technology for better data collection. Its mandate is to make the numbers as accurate and relevant as possible, not to interpret them for political gain.

5. Mitigating Legal and Institutional Risks

In many jurisdictions, the legal independence of the statistical office is explicitly protected to prevent ministers or political appointees from altering data definitions or release schedules for short-term political advantage. Dr. Iddrisu’s statement reinforces an understanding of the GSS as an institution governed by law and technical norms, not by the whims of the incumbent government. This is a bulwark against the “weaponization” of statistics.

Practical Advice: How Different Stakeholders Should Engage with GSS Data

Understanding this clarified role changes how various groups should interact with the Ghana Statistical Service.

For Government Agencies and Policymakers

1. Request, Don’t Command: Engage with the GSS as a client seeking high-quality data, not as a superior directing outcomes. Frame requests around data gaps relevant to your policy domain.
2. Invest in Capacity: Build in-house statistical units capable of analyzing GSS data. The GSS provides the “what”; your ministry’s economists and planners must derive the “so what” and “now what.”
3. Use Data for Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Rigorously link policy indicators to baseline and follow-up GSS data. For instance, use the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) to measure poverty reduction program impacts, not just anecdote.
4. Respect Timelines and Methodology: Understand that official statistics follow strict international methodologies and release calendars. Policy deadlines should adapt to data availability, not the other way around.

For Businesses, Investors, and the Private Sector

1. Market and Strategic Analysis: Utilize GSS economic indicators (GDP by sector, CPI, Producer Price Index, International Trade statistics) for market sizing, investment risk assessment, and business planning. The GSS Economic Census provides firm-level data.
2. Labor Market Planning: Rely on the Annual Household Survey and Labor Force Report for insights into employment trends, wage levels, and skill availability in different regions and sectors.
3. Supply Chain and Logistics: Use data on agricultural production, industrial output, and transport statistics to optimize supply chains.
4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):strong> Align CSR initiatives with nationally identified priorities by referencing GSS data on poverty, education, and health disparities.