"Credible" GSS Replies Bawumia - You Had It All Wrong

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has taken a swipe at the New Patriotic Party�s Presidential running mate Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia for questioning the integrity of statistical data collected by the Service based upon which single-digit inflation has been attained. The acting Government Statistician Dr. Philomena Nyarko described Dr Bawumia�s doubts of the credibility of the data collected by the statistical service as �unfortunate�. In a four page statement, the service said Dr. Bawumia had it all wrong in his interpretation. Dr Bawumia raised doubts over the figures recently when he delivered a paper on the state of Ghana�s economy at the 5th Ferdinand Ayim Memorial Lecture in Accra. But Dr. Philomena Nyarko who addressed a news conference today said Dr. Bawumia�s assertion that single digit inflation is not consistent with the economic fundamentals and developments in some key indicators were misleading. She explained that the GSS is a professional and independent institution that has produced GDP, inflation and other statistics on the country over the years. She said the service abides by the United Nations 10 Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics that emphasise independence and impartiality. �As we have repeatedly indicated, the same principles and procedures that have been used by the Ghana Statistical Service to compute inflation rates in the past continue to be used now. �GSS has always subscribed to internationally accepted principles and ethics in the production of quality statistics. �The example given by Dr. Bawumia to support his assertion that the single digit inflation is 'not consistent with the economic fundamentals and developments in some key indicators...' is unfortunate�, the statement concluded. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the NPP vice presidential candidate Yaw Buaben Asamoah has described the statistical service� explanation as inconclusive . According to him, he is satisfied that the service has responded to the issues raised by Dr. Bawumia adding that the service should have been a bit straight forward in their response. �It is important that Dr Bawumia raises issues that we as a society must deal with.�he noted.