The Department of Data Science and Economic Policy has held a stakeholders conference to mark the 2026 University of Cape Coast (UCC) Data Literacy Week.
The event, which brought together government officials, stakeholders, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, social impact practitioners, academics, traders, mechanics and students, was on the theme, “Building a Data-Smart Ghana: Evidence, Ethics and Inclusion.”
At the event, speakers underlined the need for a stronger national shift toward data-driven decision-making, stressing that data was sine qua non for modern governance and economic transformation.
According to them, data had become the most critical asset for national development, pointing out that policies, economic planning, and public accountability could not succeed without reliable and timely information.
The speakers were the Director of Research at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Accra, Dr Philip Abradu-Otoo; the Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Audrey Smock Amoah; and the Acting Director of Communication and Dissemination at the Ghana Statistical Service, Mr David Maxwell Bessah.
Dr Philip Abradu-Otoo described data as the “new gold” and the invisible force behind all major monetary policy decisions.
He explained that every key decision of the Central Bank, from inflation analysis to interest rate adjustments and financial stability assessments, were anchored on verified data rather than opinion, stressing that without data, the Central Bank loses credibility and effectiveness.
Dr Abradu-Otoo noted that inflation figures, exchange rate movements, and reserve levels were not just statistics but powerful indicators that shape policy decisions affecting farmers, businesses, and households across the country.
He urged students and young professionals to cultivate a strong appetite for quality data, describing data literacy as an essential skill for understanding the economy in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The Director of Research assured the Dean of Economics that BoG would consider the proposal for a smart data center for data analysis to enhance AI development at the Department of Data Science and Economic Policy.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, reinforced the need to recognise data as a national resource generated daily through systems such as birth registration, education records, NHIS claims, mobile money transactions, and census data. She warned that while data could drive efficiency, fairness, and innovation, it could also deepen inequality and mistrust if it was not handled ethically and inclusively.
Dr. Smock Amoah emphasised that a “data-smart Ghana” should be built on core principles such as evidence, ethics, and inclusion, stressing that national planning should be grounded in facts, guided by integrity, and designed to ensure that no group is left behind.
She further cautioned against over-reliance on aggregated statistics, noting that such approaches often hide inequalities affecting rural communities, informal workers, and vulnerable populations.
Representing the Government Statistician, the Acting Director of Communication and Dissemination at Ghana Statistical Service, Mr. David Maxwell Bessah highlighted official statistics as the backbone of national planning and a key safeguard against misinformation.
He explained that Ghana’s statistical systems, including the 2021 Population and Housing Census and ongoing national surveys, provided the foundation for policy design, budgeting, and development monitoring.
Mr Bessah stressed that statistical literacy was essential not only for experts but for all citizens, noting that data only becomes powerful when it is understood, trusted, and properly used.
He added that the Ghana Statistical Service was intensifying efforts to simplify data communication and expand public engagement to ensure that statistics were accessible and meaningful to all segments of society.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Denis Worlanyo Aheto, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, particularly the Bank of Ghana, for sponsoring the program, describing data literacy as a critical life skill in today’s digital economy.
He noted that the initiative extends beyond the university, targeting traders, artisans, transport operators, and senior high school students as part of efforts to build an inclusive data-literate society.
He further revealed that the University has trained facilitators and students under its data literacy program to serve as mentors in promoting evidence-based thinking and innovation across communities.
The Head of Data Science and Economic Policy, Prof. Emmanuel Ekow Asmah, on his part, said data must be protected because abuse carries enormous consequences for civil liberties, discrimination, and public trust.
He said data also carries immense developmental potential if ethically governed.
He continued: “Raw data alone is not wealth. The ability to govern it, refine it, analyse it, and build industries around it is where real power emerges.”
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
