Trails for 2020 census begins today in 3 districts across Ghana.

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) will today, Monday begin its trial census in three selected districts across the country.

The districts comprise Dormaa West in the Bono Region, Bunkprugu in the North East Region and Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) specifically Ashiedu Keteke, Ledzokuku, Korley Klottey, Ayawaso West and Okaikoi South municipalities in the Greater Accra Region.

The census night which was marked on Sunday, June 2, was the reference point for the information to be collected during the trial census.

The GSS will enumerate all persons living in the area as part of preparation for the 2020 census.

The Head of Census Publicity, Education and Advocacy Committee, Francis Nyarko Larbi told Citi News that “midnight was the census night because midnight is the reference point. So this morning, counting will begin in the areas that have been earmarked to have outdoor sleepers. Enumeration which is the counting of people in households and residential areas also take place this morning. So the questions that are going to be asked and responded to are all going to have reference to the midnight.”

The trial census is also in line with the United Nations’ recommendations guiding the conduct of Population and Housing Censuses worldwide.

Consequently, the trial phase has been divided into various stages with each stage testing a specifically different process.

Statistical Service to use $83m, 60,000 enumerators for 2020 census.

The Statistical Service has budgeted US$ 83 million to undertake the 2020 Population and Housing Census.

Over 60, 000 personnel will also be employed for the census.

The Deputy Government Statistician, David Kombat said his outfit will also use the information obtained by the National Identification Authority and Ghana Post for the process.

He said the government has assured the needed funds will be made available before the commencement date.

“Our budget for the census is US$ 83 million. That is what we have for the census but the government has given us the go-ahead to start the processes which we have.  We have covered almost half of the country with the designation of the various areas. We have also prepared the various instruments and testing them on the field.”

“Because we have a central database, the recruitment is going to be online. It will be advertised for people to apply. We will do the shortlisting with our database. Because we are going to create 60, ooo enumeration areas and each enumeration area is going to be handled by one enumerator, it means that we are going to be recruiting more than 60,000. So by the March next year, we should be ready,” he added.