This year 2021 census goes digital

The management of the 2021 Ghana  PHC  has announced that this year Population and Housing Census is going to be fully digital. Therefore, the exercise will employ digital technology to enhance data quality and timeliness as recommended by the United Nations. Hence, Ghana 2021 PHC aim to achieve complete coverage and collects accurate data:

1. Use of tablets in deploying Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) application instead of paper questionnaires for data collection. The use of CAPI reduces enumerator error by automating skip patterns, building inconsistency checks, and pre-filling certain fields. The use of CAPI also improves the data quality and reduces data processing times because data collected can be synced daily to the server for download and analysis by the Data Processing Team.
2. Daily synchronization of data collected to the server thus eliminating the time spent entering data from paper questions.
3. Capture the location of structures using Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) to enable georeferencing of all structures.
4. Use of interactive maps for accurate identification of the boundaries of enumeration areas on the ground to minimize errors.
5. Employment of real-time data quality monitoring to ensure high-quality data.

What should I expect during 2021 census?

For the 2021 PHC team, going digital means more than just using tablets to administer questionnaires. The digital aspect transcends data collection to other operations such as recruitment and training; procurement and logistics management; publicity, education, and advocacy; and census mapping. Some of the ways the 2021 PHC has gone digital to enhance census implementation include:

1. Online recruitment of trainers and field officers through the web-based Enumerators Bureau platform.
2. Utilization of learning management systems (LMS) for virtual training of Trainers and Data Quality Management Teams.

3. Deployment of a logistics management information system (LMIS).
4. Development of a citizen’s platform mobile application to provide up-to-date information to the public and a forum for the public to engage with members of the census implementing team.
5. Geo spatial integration to use other data sources such as satellite imagery and building footprints to overlay on maps to predict the workload of enumerators.
6. Use of social media to support publicity, education, and advocacy activities

Read on Final Ghana Statistical Service Population and Housing Census Brochure

What data will be gathered on 2021 census?

The first seven (7) days of the field data collection will be devoted to the listing of structures. Listing involves locating every structure in the enumeration area and assigning a unique serial number to each structure and collecting some basic information on the structure and its occupants or owners.

The purpose of the listing is to identify every structure and the households within an enumeration area to ensure that all persons and structures are counted during the enumeration period. A successful listing operation is also a prerequisite for complete coverage of the population. During listing the following information will be collected on the structure:

1. Address
2. GPS coordinates
3. Type of structure
4. Level of completion
5. Occupancy
6. Number of persons (male and female) resident within
7. Type of population resident within (household or institution)
8. Use of the structure
9. Presence of outdoor sleepers around the structure
10. Availability of toilet facilities

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How long will 2021 census last?

The enumeration period for the 2021 PHC is scheduled to last for 14 days. Enumeration involves the detailed information of data on structures, households, and individuals. The enumeration for the 2021 PHC will collect data on the following:

1. Travel history of household members who have migrated abroad
2. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, education, ethnicity, religion, etc.)
3. Literacy and education
4. Economic activity (employment status, occupation, industry)
5. Difficulties in performing daily living activities (seeing, hearing, walking, etc.)
6. Ownership and usage of ICT devices
7. Children born to women 12 years or over
8. Deaths of household members within the past 12 months
9. Housing conditions (construction materials of structure; water supply; asset ownership)
10. Sanitation (disposal of solid and liquid waste)
11. Source of water, lighting, and cooking fuel

Also, read 100 Ways Population and Housing Census Data is used in Ghana

when will the 2021 census begin?

The Population and Housing Census will begins on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

You can have access to the official print released or visit their newly launched website at https://statsghana.gov.gh/2021phc/abt_2021_phc.html

Reference

Owusu K., & Debrah, E. N. (2021, March 21). Ghana 2021 Housing and Population Census. Newsletter issue #1.