The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) in partnership with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) organised a five-day workshop to review a Field Manual to be used for data collection in the Culture and Creative Industry. The workshop was held from Monday 5th to Friday 9th August 2024 at the Gloriaka Hotel, Winneba.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is supporting the Research, Statistics and Information (RSIM) Directorate of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, to collect comprehensive data on Ghana’s Arts and Culture industry, which ultimately will be used to develop a Culture Satellite Account (CSA) for the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director, Mr John Yao Agbeko at the workshop, the Director for Research, Statistics and Research (RSIM), Mrs Mabel Cudjoe, who doubles as the MDA Coordinator for the Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in the West Africa Project (HISWAP) for MoTAC said the data collected during the period would be used as a baseline data for the Culture and Creative industry in Ghana.
Mrs. Cudjoe added that the workshop aimed to build the capacities of staff of the Research, Statistics, and Information Management Directorates of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies
to improve upon the collation, management and analysis of data for decision-making.
She stated that the survey was essential, because it would address a critical gap, which is the absence of data, and would enable accurate data to be generated thus forming the foundation for informed policy decision-making and strategic development.
She said the first crucial phase in the survey was completing a well-structured questionnaire. In contrast, the second phase was the Preparation of a Field Manual for data collection that will enhance the enumerator’s knowledge to understand the basic concepts, methods, and operations necessary for data collection and recording of information while on the field.
Mrs Cudjoe noted that the data collection exercise would Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing a baseline to measure and analyse the implementation of policies aimed at achieving culture-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 11.4) as well as formulate recommendations for aligning arts and culture initiatives with broader development objectives.
She pointed out that the overall objective was to provide data that would provide policymakers with timely, accurate, and policy-relevant statistics derived from the survey, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding the arts and culture industry’s role in national development.
Mrs Cudjoe indicated that the exercise would help to analyse the conditions and dynamics within the arts and culture sector, including the challenges and opportunities businesses face. This understanding will aid in formulating policies that support sustainable growth and development.
MoTAC is among the thirteen (13) beneficiary agencies under the Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in the West African Project (HISWAP) managed by the Ghana Statistical Service and supported by the World Bank.
Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its agencies, and academia with technical support from GSS.
Source: MoTAC PR
