President John Dramani Mahama has officially sworn in Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu as Ghana’s new Government Statistician, urging him to champion the use of reliable data and evidence in driving the country’s development.

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The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Jubilee House in Accra, was simple but dignified. It was attended by key government officials, including the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and the Ministers for Interior, Health, Defence, Communications, and Justice, among other notable guests.

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In his acceptance speech, Dr. Iddrisu thanked President Mahama for the confidence placed in him. He pledged to take on the role not just as a job, but as a national calling, committing to serve with dedication and purpose.

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“This is a call to lead the charge in placing data and evidence at the heart of governance and national transformation,” Dr. Iddrisu said.

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“In a rapidly changing world where information drives prosperity, the role of the Ghana Statistical Service has never been more crucial than now.”Ghanaian fashion

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Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu has shared an ambitious vision for the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), promising to transform it into a modern, tech-driven, flexible, and trusted institution that produces reliable, timely, and relevant data to support Ghana’s economic recovery and development efforts.

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A top priority on his agenda is to fast-track the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to improve how inflation is measured. He also plans to extend CPI reporting to the district level to support the government’s decentralisation goals.

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Dr. Iddrisu further committed to releasing inflation data that separates urban and rural figures, helping capture price trends in different parts of the country.

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On economic statistics, he revealed plans to rebase Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every five years—an upgrade from the current 10-year cycle. He also aims to start publishing GDP data for each region to help local governments make better decisions.

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To track real-time economic performance, he hinted at introducing Monthly Indicators of Economic Growth (MIEG), which would complement the Bank of Ghana’s existing Composite Index of Economic Activity (CIEA).

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For employment data, Dr. Iddrisu pledged to provide quarterly reports on employment and unemployment to help track job creation, especially under key government programmes, and closely monitor youth unemployment trends.

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“With the enduring support of the President, the Honourable Finance Minister, our development partners, and the good people of Ghana, I am committed to working with the exceptional team at GSS to position our Service as a world-class institution and a trusted pillar in Ghana’s development journey,” Dr. Iddrisu affirmed.

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Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, an experienced economist and statistician, steps into his new role with a strong background in macroeconomic management, public policy, and data analysis.

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His appointment signals a fresh start for the Ghana Statistical Service, which aims to become a leading institution that supports national development through reliable data and evidence-based decision-making.

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