The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has announced its intent to conduct a comprehensive census on both informal and formal businesses across the country, aimed at boosting effective decision-making to foster business prosperity.
This census will be executed in two distinct phases.
The inaugural phase is scheduled for mid-October 2023, followed by the second phase in 2024.
The GSS underscores that this census will mark a significant improvement over economic censuses held since 1962, encompassing not only formal enterprises but also non-profit organizations.
At the Ghana 2023 Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES I) Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, emphasized the substantial benefits this survey will bring to the country. He outlined two key objectives of the census.
The first objective is to aid businesses in escaping the limitations of informality. The Service recognizes that various perspectives classify businesses and workers as informal. The census seeks to align with different development partners and policy instruments to address this informality challenge.
The second advantage will emerge during the second phase of the 2023 Ghana Integrated Business Establishment Survey. It will focus on overcoming challenges faced during the pandemic, specifically in providing data to navigate these difficulties.
Prof. Annim reiterated the paramount significance of this data collection initiative in shaping policymaking. He earnestly appealed to all business owners for their cooperation in this endeavor.