Press Release No. 05/171

Ghana has begun participating in the International Monetary Fund's General Data Dissemination System (GDDS), marking a major step forward in the development of the country's statistical system. Comprehensive information on its statistical production and dissemination practices was published on the IMF's Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board (DSBB) (http://dsbb.imf.org/Applications/web/gdds/gddshome/) starting on July 20, 2005.

Dr. Grace Bediako, the Government Statistician of the Ghana Statistical Service, stated: "The GDDS metadata format is a good set of principles for routine dissemination of data. Adherence to its guidelines should enhance the usefulness of the data and provide users with valuable information to plan their work and programs. It also serves as a yardstick by which Ghana can judge its performance in the field of statistics. One important outcome of the metadata compilation process is the collaboration with other statistical providers, and the fostering of a network among institutions. The additional benefits that could accrue from Ghana's subscribing to the GDDS are immense and should ultimately lead us to a strengthened statistical system."

At present, 84 countries have participated in the GDDS and 79 have their data published on the bulletin board. Mr. Robert W. Edwards, Director of the Statistics Department, said: "Ghana has reached a milestone that should allow the country to take full advantage of the GDDS as a framework for the development of national systems for the production and dissemination of economic, financial, and socio-demographic data."

The GDDS, established by the IMF in 1997, provides a framework to assist IMF member countries to develop their statistical systems with the objective of producing comprehensive and accurate statistics for policymaking and analysis. It addresses the quality and the dissemination of data. In addition, the IMF's website shows Ghana's plans for improvement in its statistics and the related technical assistance needs. This information provides the international community with a useful framework to develop and coordinate technical cooperation projects in Ghana.