There is a legal obligation to the Census – Gov’t Statistician

Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim has reminded all persons resident in Ghana, who intend to abstain from the census exercise, that they could could be fined or imprisoned.

According to him, the Ghana Statistical Service has been made aware of persons in some areas who have decided to decline the call to honour this obligation.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra Sunday, the Government Statistician said, “Persons in specific areas like;, Talensi, Bongo, Bolgatanga districts and some districts in the Greater Accra region, specifically, the Ledzokuku and Krowor districts are declining to partake in the exercise.

We are urging them to be aware that there is a legal obligation to the Census, but the Ghana Statistical Service has so far not pursued this legal dimension.

We are urging you because it is your civic responsibility, otherwise Section 54 of the Statistical Service Act, 2019 (Act 1003), which indicates that once you decline to participate in the activity or you urge other persons not to take part, the consequences are either imprisonment or a fine,” Mr Annim indicated.

He further said that travelers, rough sleepers, and guesthouse/hotel guests have been targeted by the Ghana Statistical Service for enumeration as it commences the 2021 Census tonight, June 27.

This he stated was necessary to capture all persons resident in Ghana in the Census. It will also enable the Statistical Service cover all categories of residents.

The Government Statistician indicated that Statistical Service personnel would be stationed at lorry stations across the country to count travelers who will be embarking on long journeys.

“Specifically, tonight we’re going to target persons who will be in transit traveling long journeys. Specifically, something beyond eight hours, which will mean that they’ll start from the later hours of today and get to their destination in the early hours of tomorrow. So we’re going to be at the lorry stations and ensure that these persons are counted,” he explained.