STATISTICAL INFORMATION NEEDS TO PREPARE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) COUNTRY REPORT - GHANA

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1 STATISTICAL INFORMATION NEEDS TO PREPARE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) COUNTRY REPORT - GHANA GHANA POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY The Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) represents comprehensive policies to support growth and poverty reduction over a three-year period ( ). The government of Ghana aims to create wealth by transforming the nature of the economy to achieve growth, accelerated poverty reduction, and the protection of the vulnerable and excluded within a decentralized, democratic environment; to be achieved through conscious efforts in 5 Thematic areas, namely, Economic stability, Production and employment, Human resource development, Special programmes for the Vulnerable and Excluded. DEMAND FOR INFORMATION The demand for information about and participation in the preparation of the GPRS escalated markedly once ministries appreciated that Donors would be channelling resources through Budget support to GoG based on what was included in the GPRS in The President also made it clear that the GPRS was the basis on which government priorities for resource allocation were to be based, and published an executive summary of the GPRS which indicated the main priority areas. MDAs therefore streamlined their programmes/ projects and budget priorities with the GPRS for year The MDAs have also been intensively involved in the process of selecting key indicators for poverty measurement. As information about the GPRS is spreading, demand from other stakeholders is growing in strength and specification district assemblies, NGOs, and citizens becoming clearer about what they would like to know about the progress of the GPRS. IMPLEMENTATION OF GPRS Serious efforts have been made to establish GPRS implementation and monitoring arrangements, including the participation of civil society. The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has been charged with the dissemination, developing and overseeing the implementation of the GPRS. The various Ministries (MDAs) and the District Assemblies are directly responsible for monitoring the implementation of the GPRS, making NDPC a coordinating agency, responsible for providing M&E Guidelines, developing capacity for M&E and analysing M&E Reports of all Stakeholders. THE GHANA STSTISTICAL SERVICE (GSS) The main sources of information for measuring and monitoring the nature and the scope of poverty in Ghana are the Ghana Living Standards Surveys (GLSS I-IV), the Core Welfare Indicators Questionnaire (CWIQ) Monitoring Survey and the Demographic and Health Surveys (GDHS) produced by GSS. These surveys constitute the Ghana Welfare Measuring System (GWMS). They constitute a strong set of survey instruments and GSS has previous experience of successfully implementing each.

2 Together, these surveys (GWMS) provide a wide range of indicators for monitoring poverty outcomes such as: changes in living standards; access, use and satisfaction with basic social services; infant, child and maternal mortality; fertility levels and educational enrolment rates. The GPRS recognises these surveys as important for measuring poverty and social conditions in Ghana even though they do not provide the whole range of indicators. In fact, they provide all the information necessary for monitoring the core poverty indicators in the GPRS The system is needed to provide bench-marks for measuring national policies and programmes. In this regard, the GWMS is complemented by information derived from the 2000 Ghana population and housing census as well as by participatory and other qualitative information that validate, enrich and interrogate the survey results. The GSS also produces a wide range of macro economic indicators that facilitate the monitoring of pro-poor economic growth in Ghana. These include developments in the consumer price indices- inflation rates, real GDP growth by sector, classification of government expenditure into functional economic and development categories, exports and imports and other National Income Indicators. The GSS is undertaking further analysis of data that could feed into monitoring and evaluation of the GPRS They include: Poverty mapping which uses the GLSS and the census data to classify all Districts of the country into Poverty quintiles. Application of Poverty Correlates where specific variables are used to predict poverty at the District level. SAM based analysis Most of these activities have however been implemented with substantial support from development partners. The GSS has also put in place a strong organizational network through the reconstituted National Advisory Committee of Producers and Users of Statistics (NACPUS) and ten functional sectoral statistics working groups (SSWGs) that meet regularly to deliberate and advise on data requirements of users, methodology for data collection from various sources and the harmonization of the methods and standards. Membership of NACPUS/SSWGs comprises both major users and producers of statistical information in both the public and private sector. MONITORING AND EVALUATION A policy matrix, that focuses on the five priority areas for GPRS implementation, monitoring and evaluation has been designed to provide benchmarks for both GoG and Development Partners to monitor progress against key priorities by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the District Assemblies (DAs). To support the implementation of the GPRS, effective 2003, the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) has been identified as the the instrument for translating the GPRS into the government annual budgets over the medium-term.

3 MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) Specific indicators (39) were developed by UNDP to monitor progress towards the achievement of the MDG. 13 out of the 39 MDG indicators are covered in the GPRS core indicators list. Additional 14 MDG indicators can be obtained from existing information systems. Thus Ghana will be able to report on 27 out of the 39 indicators. This will be produced in a special annual report, in June each year. Sources of statistical information for assessing the performance of MDG include the following: MDG Goal 1: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: achieve universal primary education Goal 3: promote gender equality & empower women Goal 4: reduce child mortality Goal 5: improve maternal health Goal 6: combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases Goal 7: ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: develop a global partnership for development SOURCE OF SI MOE MOE, PARL. EPA MOF, NDPC BOG, GSS GPRS MONITORING INDICATORS An inductive and participatory approach, involving all stakeholders was adopted in selecting 52 GPRS core indicators; in particular, these indicators incorporate the Medium Term Development Plan (2002-4), some sector priorities and the HIPC triggers. The GPRS indicators relate to 5 thematic areas, namely; Macro-Economic stability Production and Employment Human Resource Development Vulnerable and Excluded Governance ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF GWMS SURVEY YEAR CWIQ II 2003 MATERNAL MORTALITY STUDY 2003 GDHS IV 2003/2004 GLSS V 2003/2004

4 LIMITATIONS GSS has limited capacity to do more detailed poverty analysis (ie, analysis of data beyond the first level) to inform policy formulation. High turn-over of of skilled staff at GSS. Limited state-of-the art technology/facilities for statistical work. Inadequate funding for statistical programmes by government. Most surveys under the GWMS have been implemented in the past with substantial donor support. It is expected however that this problem will diminish with the current high demand for statistical information from GSS by government to monitor the implementation of the GPRS and other programmes. CONCLUSION Ghana has the capacity through the statistical system to produce all the indicators needed to monitor the progress/ achievement of the GPRS and the MDG. Provided that there is adequate commitment and funding from both government and donors.

5 STATISTICAL INFORMATION NEEDS TO PREPARE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) COUNTRY REPORT - GHANA BACKGROUND GHANA POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY (GPRS) The Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) represents comprehensive policies to support growth and poverty reduction over a three-year period ( ). The government of Ghana aims to create wealth by transforming the nature of the economy to achieve growth, accelerated poverty reduction, and the protection of the vulnerable and excluded within a decentralized, democratic environment;. GPRS to be achieved through conscious efforts in 5 Thematic areas, namely, Economic stability, Production and employment, Human resource development, Special programmes for the Vulnerable and Excluded. DEMAND FOR INFORMATION PRESIDENT OF GHANA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS MDAs DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES NDPC PARLIAMENT NGOs CIVIL SOCIETY IMPLEMENTATION OF GPRS NDPC PARLIAMENT MOF OOP GSS MDAs DAs THE GHANA STSTISTICAL SERVICE (GSS) ROLE IN GPRS Main sources of information for measuring and monitoring poverty GHANA LIVING STANDARDS SURVEYS (GLSS I-IV), CORE WELFARE INDICATORS QUESTIONNAIRE (CWIQ) MONITORING SURVEY AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS (GDHS)

6 These surveys constitute the GHANA WELFARE MEASURING SYSTEM (GWMS). They constitute a strong set of survey instruments and GSS has previous experience of successfully implementing each. Together, these surveys (GWMS) provide a wide range of indicators for monitoring poverty outcomes such as: changes in living standards; access, use and satisfaction with basic social services ; infant, child and maternal mortality fertility levels and educational enrolment rates. The GPRS recognises these surveys as important for measuring poverty and social conditions in Ghana even though they do not provide the whole range of indicators. In fact, they provide all the information necessary for monitoring the core poverty indicators in the GPRS The system is needed to provide bench-marks for measuring national policies and programmes. GWMS is complemented by information derived from the 2000 Ghana population and housing census as well as by participatory and other qualitative information that validate, enrich and interrogate the survey results. MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS The GSS also produces a wide range of macro economic indicators that facilitate the monitoring of pro-poor economic growth in Ghana. These include developments in the consumer price indices- inflation rates, real GDP growth by sector, classification of government expenditure into functional economic and development categories, exports and imports and other National Income Indicators. POVERTY ANALYSIS The GSS is undertaking further analysis of data that could feed into monitoring and evaluation of the GPRS They include: Poverty mapping which uses the GLSS and the census data to classify all Districts of the country into Poverty quintiles. Application of Poverty Correlates where specific variables are used to predict poverty at the District level. SAM based analysis

7 NACPUS The GSS has also put in place a strong organizational network through the reconstituted National Advisory Committee of Producers and Users of Statistics (NACPUS) and ten functional sectoral statistics working groups (SSWGs) that meet regularly to deliberate and advise on data requirements of users, methodology for data collection from various sources and the harmonization of the methods and standards. Membership of NACPUS/SSWGs comprises both major users and producers of statistical information in both the public and private sector. MONITORING AND EVALUATION A policy matrix, that focuses on the five priority areas for GPRS implementation, monitoring and evaluation has been designed to provide benchmarks for both GoG and Development Partners to monitor progress against key priorities by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the District Assemblies (DAs). To support the implementation of the GPRS, effective 2003, the medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) has been identified as the the instrument for translating the GPRS into the government annual budgets over the medium-term. MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) Specific indicators (39) were developed by UNDP to monitor progress towards the achievement of the MDG. 13 out of the 39 MDG indicators are covered in the GPRS core indicators list. Additional 14 MDG indicators can be obtained from existing information systems. Thus Ghana will be able to report on 27 out of the 39 indicators. This will be produced in a special annual report, in June each year. Sources of statistical information for assessing the performance of MDG include the following: MDG Goal 1: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: achieve universal primary education Goal 3: promote gender equality & empower women Goal 4: reduce child mortality Goal 5: improve maternal health Goal 6: combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases Goal 7: ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: develop a global partnership for development SOURCE OF SI MOE MOE, PARL. EPA MOF, NDPC BOG, GSS

8 GPRS MONITORING INDICATORS An inductive and participatory approach, involving all stakeholders was adopted in selecting 52 GPRS core indicators; in particular, these indicators incorporate the Medium Term Development Plan (2002-4), some sector priorities and the HIPC triggers. The GPRS indicators relate to 5 thematic areas, namely; Macro-Economic stability Production and Employment Human Resource Development Vulnerable and Excluded Governance ON-GOING PROGRAMME OF GWMS SURVEY YEAR CWIQ II 2003 MATERNAL MORTALITY STUDY 2003 GDHS IV 2003/2004 GLSS V 2003/2004 LIMITATIONS GSS has limited capacity to do more detailed poverty analysis (ie, analysis of data beyond the first level) to inform policy formulation. High turn-over of of skilled staff at GSS. Limited state-of-the art technology/facilities for statistical work. Inadequate funding for statistical programmes by government. Most surveys under the GWMS have been implemented in the past with substantial donor support. It is expected however that this problem will diminish with the current high demand for statistical information from GSS by government to monitor the implementation of the GPRS and other programmes. CONCLUSION Ghana has the capacity through the statistical system to produce all the indicators needed to monitor the progress/ achievement of the GPRS and the MDG. Provided that there is adequate commitment and funding from both government and donors.