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The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says it is taking every step necessary to ensure that the country does not miss out on the conduct of the first digital Population and Housing Census this year.

Professor Samuel Annim, the Government Statistician, said the GSS is continuing with its preparations, pending the easing of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said key preparatory activities have been concluded in collaboration with various experts and partners, including; delineating the country into 51,755 enumeration areas (EAs) to facilitate complete enumeration of all persons in Ghana.

It is also finalising data collection instruments and training materials; gathering of geometry, accessibility and building indices for each district; and the virtual training of Master Trainers and Regional Data Quality Monitors.

However, he said, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant government sanctioned social distancing and public health hygienic protocols has affected the preparatory engagements of the 2020 census.

“Nonetheless, being cognizant of the stature of the 2020 PHC as the priority national development programme, GSS has now developed and continues to implement, a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan in order to keep up with the decennial census calendar, including conducting virtual meetings and training activities,” Prof Annim said.

He said the GSS is taking all precautions to conduct the 2020 census without endangering the safety of both the public and census personnel.

“To this end, GSS will continue to monitor the unfolding COVID-l9 situation in the country in consultation with the relevant government institutions and other stakeholders and accordingly make adjustments to the 2020 census calendar,” Prof Annim added.