These show that as a country we don't have computerised system where one can get data, and both departments did shody work. Shame to GSS and MOFA.
These show that as a country we don't have computerised system where one can get data, and both departments did shody work. Shame to GSS and MOFA.
KWASHIE ADJAH 9 years ago
STATE INSTITUTION STAFFED BY SO CALLED EDUCATED LOT, ARE MAKING A MESS OF THE JOBS THEY HAVE AND WHEN CONCERNS ARE RAISED, FELLOW EDUCATED FOLK COME UP WITH EQUALLY UNINTELLIGENT EXCUSES FOR THE UNFORGIVEN ERRORS MADE. GHANA ... read full comment
STATE INSTITUTION STAFFED BY SO CALLED EDUCATED LOT, ARE MAKING A MESS OF THE JOBS THEY HAVE AND WHEN CONCERNS ARE RAISED, FELLOW EDUCATED FOLK COME UP WITH EQUALLY UNINTELLIGENT EXCUSES FOR THE UNFORGIVEN ERRORS MADE. GHANA SHOULD WAKE UP AND STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE, INSTEAD OF THE MEDIOCRE PRODUCTIVITY WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH, LEAVING OUR NATION LAGGING BEHIND IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT; THE RESULT BEING CHRONIC POVERTY AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT, EVEN AFTER 58 YEARS OF INDEPENDENT STATEHOOD. WE SHOULD DEMAND EXCELLENCE IN ALL SECTORS OF OUR NATIONAL LIFE AND NOT INDULGE IN SORRY EXCUSES FOR MEDIOCRITY.
OGOGOS 9 years ago
when we get up, we point accusing hands to the politicians that they are failing Ghana where in actual fact it's the TECHNOCRAT who are failing the country.Technocrats are hiding behind the politicians and killing the country ... read full comment
when we get up, we point accusing hands to the politicians that they are failing Ghana where in actual fact it's the TECHNOCRAT who are failing the country.Technocrats are hiding behind the politicians and killing the country. Anyone whose output depends data of GSS and MOFA is doomed. Shame to so call technocrats.
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
It is about time we started talking about the paucity of data, and good quality data, precisely the type these government agencies are funded to produce as baseline for the programs and projects people and businesses depend o ... read full comment
It is about time we started talking about the paucity of data, and good quality data, precisely the type these government agencies are funded to produce as baseline for the programs and projects people and businesses depend on to help grow the economy. (In fact, our upcoming essay on Ghanaweb titled, " Asantehene Shouts Tribal Discrimination Without Data?, talks about lack of data in policy discussions and announcements.
1. Previously we said we would hitch our donkey wagon to the GSS caboose. The review presented by Professor J. Atsu Amegashie's has not convinced us to change our perspective. There is probably 100% more baseline on the GSS website, compared to MOFA website.
Maybe, MOFA only serves the powerful and elite with direct access to their so-called "Statistics Research and Information Directorate". In fact, there is no useful data on those very "Statistics Research and Information Directorate" web pages, even today.
2. If Dr. Bawumia "claims" he received the MOFA data from MOFA, we believe he should explain where he got the data, or MOFA should explain - do some talking, too. Maybe we missed all that good and reliable data, again, on the MOFA portal. (To repeat, we did not find a single MOFA statistic for any food item on their webpages).
3. Significantly, man does not live by "Yam" alone, or by "Rice" alone, for that matter. Therefore the aggregate Market Basket ought to be the important criteria for policy makers. Talking about Yams or Rice, or Beans, is merely an academic exercise, generally a waste of the peoples' time.
4. According to Professor J. Atsu Amegashie, there is "a huge discrepancy between the GSS' inflation figure for each of the six food items relative to MOFA's corresponding figure...in the cases of rice and yam, the GSS' figures show that prices have been falling from January 2014 to December 2014 while MOFA's figures show that prices have been rising or that inflation is positive..." Professor Amegashie does not tell us exactly what the numbers are, or even the average or median.
On the other hand, our review of GSS aggregate food data (Consumer Price Index) 2014-2015 showed slight increases in prices. For instance, in January, 2014, it was 13.8%, compared 16.4%, in January of this year (2015).
(See: www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/new_CPI_pdfs/CPI_Newsletter_January_2015.pdf )
5. We believe that professionally, the only responsibility the GSS had was to explain their methodology. Therefore, the GSS strayed in their attempts to explain the MOFA methodology.
6. If there are significant differences in data that ought to be the same at a theoretical level, and is the subject of important policy discussions, it behooves the leaders of the responsible agencies to quickly assign key functionaries to a team, "TIGER TEAM", in our world, (but call it what you want) to sit down together to document the sources of the differences, if actually there are any. (After all, if MOFA’s data can be used to validate GSS data for similar products/goods, we would expect the reverse to be true also, notwithstanding the mission of the GSS).
7. So, we agree, the ball is in the joint-court of the GSS and MOFA.
Kwame 9 years ago
Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014. Why do you think reasonable Ghanaian s should accept data irrespective of the source that food prices fell. Please illogical propaganda will n ... read full comment
Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014. Why do you think reasonable Ghanaian s should accept data irrespective of the source that food prices fell. Please illogical propaganda will not suffice .
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
Nice try, Kwame!
At least we all know GSS is not a political party.
YOUR: "...Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014..."
WE SAY: Your comment tells us you did not even re ... read full comment
Nice try, Kwame!
At least we all know GSS is not a political party.
YOUR: "...Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014..."
WE SAY: Your comment tells us you did not even read ours, or if you did, you did not understand, or bother to check the link we provided.
Our second paragraph to our Item 6 reads: "On the other hand, our review of GSS aggregate food data (Consumer Price Index) 2014-2015 showed slight increases in prices. For instance, in January, 2014, it was 13.8%, compared 16.4%, in January of this year (2015).
(See: www.statsghana.gov.gh/docfiles/new_CPI_pdfs/CPI_Newsletter_January_2015.pdf ).
Tells us it is you who has "illogical" eyes/reasoning.
KKO 9 years ago
We need to get state officials to begin to do the right things by ALL Ghanaians at ALL times. This Philomena Nyarko lady has been worse than useless since she assumed that position. Her figures have never tallied with what ev ... read full comment
We need to get state officials to begin to do the right things by ALL Ghanaians at ALL times. This Philomena Nyarko lady has been worse than useless since she assumed that position. Her figures have never tallied with what even illiterate market women know to be the reality in Ghana.
I don't know where she got her PhD from, but she is a complete disgrace to whichever university awarded her Degree(s)!
Prof Lungu 9 years ago
KKO,
Looks like you know more about these things than we do!
Our take is actually in the narrow area of the CPI, and changes over the 12-month period during 2014-2015. Further, we believe the GSS is making a lot of stride ... read full comment
KKO,
Looks like you know more about these things than we do!
Our take is actually in the narrow area of the CPI, and changes over the 12-month period during 2014-2015. Further, we believe the GSS is making a lot of strides in making data available through their portal, compared to say 6 years ago, or 15 years ago, or MOFA, for that matter. For food basket items, the GSS has already reported the increases in the CPI for that period.
Fact is, if MOFA, for example, does no provide basic data about their programs to the public via their webpages, we can never tell if they themselves are accurate or honest. But we can all agree that they are not being responsive, or responsible, even.
So, you will agree that this all a part of the effort to "...get state officials to begin to do the right things by ALL Ghanaians at ALL times."
Again, our upcoming essay (today, most likely), titled, "Asantehene Shouts Tribal Discrimination Without Data?" touches on this "data" problem.
Finally, we may want to hold back a bit about the Chief of the GSS, as in avoidance of the personal, unless her vita is a fraud in any respect. The key is having the best on her team to get the numbers right, even if they have to revisit the data again. That happens in some of the best government democracies, today.
Thanks, KKO!
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
As an ordinary Ghanaian,I'm expecting Bawumia to tell me why it is wrong for govt to seek a bailout from IMF now.Namely,Bawumia is a potential leader of this country and so if he cannot tell me what he could have done with th ... read full comment
As an ordinary Ghanaian,I'm expecting Bawumia to tell me why it is wrong for govt to seek a bailout from IMF now.Namely,Bawumia is a potential leader of this country and so if he cannot tell me what he could have done with the IMF bail out program or without it then I have a problem with him.I am expecting him to speak like the future president who knows what the country wants and what he can do for Ghana.Thank you.
KWASHIE ADJAH 9 years ago
BAUWMIA HAS BEEN NDC TO STOP STEALING AND USE STATE MONIES WISELY AND NOT INFLATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS LIKE THE SPENDING US$23 MILLION FOR REVAMPING A RUNWAY AT KUMASI AIRPORT ETC AND ALL THAT MAHAMA DOES IS GO TO KUMASI TO P ... read full comment
BAUWMIA HAS BEEN NDC TO STOP STEALING AND USE STATE MONIES WISELY AND NOT INFLATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS LIKE THE SPENDING US$23 MILLION FOR REVAMPING A RUNWAY AT KUMASI AIRPORT ETC AND ALL THAT MAHAMA DOES IS GO TO KUMASI TO PLAY AND DANCE TO "YETIE OBIAA" MUSIC. READ BAWUMIA'S LECTURES. HE DESCRIBES THE PROBLEMS AND SAYS WHAT THE NDC COULD DO BETTER TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. DOES NDC EXPECT BAWUMIA TO SPOON FEED THEM TOO.
KWASHIE ADJAH 9 years ago
BAWUMIA HAS BEEN TELLING NDC TO STOP STEALING ETC.
BAWUMIA HAS BEEN TELLING NDC TO STOP STEALING ETC.
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
You don't win elections by telling your opponent not to steal.On the contrary,you can win elections by telling the electorate what you can do for your country.As for me,Bawumia is hitting over the bar.Thank you.
You don't win elections by telling your opponent not to steal.On the contrary,you can win elections by telling the electorate what you can do for your country.As for me,Bawumia is hitting over the bar.Thank you.
KWASHIE ADJAH 9 years ago
IF STEALING IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF GHANA'S PROBLEMS WHY NOT, TELL NDC TO STOP STEALING, IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REQUISITE FUNDS TO DEVELOP THE NATION???????? IF STEALING IS MAINLY CAUSING UNDERDEVELOPMENT, WHY IGNORE IT AND STILL ... read full comment
IF STEALING IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF GHANA'S PROBLEMS WHY NOT, TELL NDC TO STOP STEALING, IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REQUISITE FUNDS TO DEVELOP THE NATION???????? IF STEALING IS MAINLY CAUSING UNDERDEVELOPMENT, WHY IGNORE IT AND STILL ALLOW THE HAEMORRAGING OF STATE FUNDS INTO PRIVATE NDC MEMBERS ACCOUNTS. CURE THE ILLNESS OF STEALING STATE MONIES AND THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SECURED.
BOY KOFI 9 years ago
I will not vote for you if you tell me that your opponent is stealing.That is not what I want to hear from somebody who wants to govern this country.On the other hand,I will vote for you with confidence if you tell me exactly ... read full comment
I will not vote for you if you tell me that your opponent is stealing.That is not what I want to hear from somebody who wants to govern this country.On the other hand,I will vote for you with confidence if you tell me exactly what you can do.That is the difference between opposing govt policies and convincing electorate to vote for you.If you say party A is stealing then it means party B can also steal,don't you think so?Thank you.
KWAKU ANANSE 9 years ago
YOU DO NOT GO COUNT TEN, WHEN YOU HAVE NOT COUNTED ONE. FIRST THINGS FIRST. LOGIC IS VERY IMPORTANT. DEAL WITH THE STEALING AND SEAL THE LOOPHOLES FOR STEALING AND SECURE THE FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THEN PLAN THE DEVELOPMEN ... read full comment
YOU DO NOT GO COUNT TEN, WHEN YOU HAVE NOT COUNTED ONE. FIRST THINGS FIRST. LOGIC IS VERY IMPORTANT. DEAL WITH THE STEALING AND SEAL THE LOOPHOLES FOR STEALING AND SECURE THE FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THEN PLAN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATION TO USE THE MONEY YOU HAVE SECURE FROM THEFT. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF STOPPING STEALING. IS IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE IDEA OF STEALING TO ENRICH ONESELF???????? STEALING IS KILLING GHANA AND THE 2016 ELECTIONS ARE TWO YEARS AWAY. WHY SHOULD BAWUMIA TELL YOU WHAT HE WILL DO AT THIS TIME, WHEN THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM TO BE DEALT WITH, IS STEALING OF STATE FUNDS, WHICH IS PLACING GHANAIANS IN GRAVE HARDSHIP, POVERTY AND ILL-HEALTH???????? DO NOT WORRY, BAWUMIA WILL TELL YOU HIS BRILLIANT MANISFESTO FOR GHANA'S DEVELOPMENT IN GOOD TIME, BEFORE THE 2016 ELECTIONS. HE IS MORE WORRIED ABOUT STEALING WHICH IS SENDING THE NATION INTO THE ABYSS. PEOPLE ARE EVEN DYING AND GOING HUNGRY, BECAUSE OF THE STEALING. IT IS AN EMERGENCY IN GHANA NOW AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH NOW, NOW, NOW.
These show that as a country we don't have computerised system where one can get data, and both departments did shody work. Shame to GSS and MOFA.
STATE INSTITUTION STAFFED BY SO CALLED EDUCATED LOT, ARE MAKING A MESS OF THE JOBS THEY HAVE AND WHEN CONCERNS ARE RAISED, FELLOW EDUCATED FOLK COME UP WITH EQUALLY UNINTELLIGENT EXCUSES FOR THE UNFORGIVEN ERRORS MADE. GHANA ...
read full comment
when we get up, we point accusing hands to the politicians that they are failing Ghana where in actual fact it's the TECHNOCRAT who are failing the country.Technocrats are hiding behind the politicians and killing the country ...
read full comment
It is about time we started talking about the paucity of data, and good quality data, precisely the type these government agencies are funded to produce as baseline for the programs and projects people and businesses depend o ...
read full comment
Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014. Why do you think reasonable Ghanaian s should accept data irrespective of the source that food prices fell. Please illogical propaganda will n ...
read full comment
Nice try, Kwame!
At least we all know GSS is not a political party.
YOUR: "...Prof lungu doing the useless propaganda when we all knew prices increased in 2014..."
WE SAY: Your comment tells us you did not even re ...
read full comment
We need to get state officials to begin to do the right things by ALL Ghanaians at ALL times. This Philomena Nyarko lady has been worse than useless since she assumed that position. Her figures have never tallied with what ev ...
read full comment
KKO,
Looks like you know more about these things than we do!
Our take is actually in the narrow area of the CPI, and changes over the 12-month period during 2014-2015. Further, we believe the GSS is making a lot of stride ...
read full comment
As an ordinary Ghanaian,I'm expecting Bawumia to tell me why it is wrong for govt to seek a bailout from IMF now.Namely,Bawumia is a potential leader of this country and so if he cannot tell me what he could have done with th ...
read full comment
BAUWMIA HAS BEEN NDC TO STOP STEALING AND USE STATE MONIES WISELY AND NOT INFLATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS LIKE THE SPENDING US$23 MILLION FOR REVAMPING A RUNWAY AT KUMASI AIRPORT ETC AND ALL THAT MAHAMA DOES IS GO TO KUMASI TO P ...
read full comment
BAWUMIA HAS BEEN TELLING NDC TO STOP STEALING ETC.
You don't win elections by telling your opponent not to steal.On the contrary,you can win elections by telling the electorate what you can do for your country.As for me,Bawumia is hitting over the bar.Thank you.
IF STEALING IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF GHANA'S PROBLEMS WHY NOT, TELL NDC TO STOP STEALING, IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REQUISITE FUNDS TO DEVELOP THE NATION???????? IF STEALING IS MAINLY CAUSING UNDERDEVELOPMENT, WHY IGNORE IT AND STILL ...
read full comment
I will not vote for you if you tell me that your opponent is stealing.That is not what I want to hear from somebody who wants to govern this country.On the other hand,I will vote for you with confidence if you tell me exactly ...
read full comment
YOU DO NOT GO COUNT TEN, WHEN YOU HAVE NOT COUNTED ONE. FIRST THINGS FIRST. LOGIC IS VERY IMPORTANT. DEAL WITH THE STEALING AND SEAL THE LOOPHOLES FOR STEALING AND SECURE THE FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND THEN PLAN THE DEVELOPMEN ...
read full comment