The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the UDS Graduate School will outdoor the country’s first integrated data repository, the Statistics Bank (StatsBank) at the Tamale Campus of the University for Development Studies on 26th September, 2023. The launch of the StatsBank will be preceded by the Hackathon which will be held at the UDS Guest house from the 24th to 26th September, 2023.

According to the Dean of the UDS Graduate School, Professor Francis Kweku Amgaloh, the platform is to empower policy makers, professionals and students to ensure that data-driven decision-making becomes more inclusive and widespread across the country. The Academic launch of the GSS StatsBank and Hackathon, will enable users to tap into disaggregated data from census and surveys of the GSS.
The StatsBank also has over 350 million statistics, including indicators from the 2021 Population and Housing Census and a comprehensive set of macro-economic indicators.

Some of those expected to grace the launch ceremony are the Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Denmark, Ms. Vibeke Sandholm Pedersen, the Government Statistician, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, and the Dean of the UDS Graduate School, Prof. Francis Kweku Amagloh.

During the launch, Data Scientists from the Statistical Service will demonstrate to the audience how the StatsBank system can be navigated.

The official launch ceremony will also witness winners of the UDS 2023 StatsBank Hackathon Competition receive awards. The overall winner will receive a cheque for GHS 5,000, the first runner-up team will be awarded GHS 2,000 and the third placed will receiveh GHS 1,000 cash prize.

Story by:
Abdul-Hayi Moomen
(UDS Media)