Data is new oil: Chief of Staff drives government efficiency with 25 key MOUs

The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mr. Julius Debrah, has spearheaded a major governmental shake-up towards efficiency, overseeing the joint signing of historic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and 25 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The ceremony, held in Accra, marks a definitive shift from anecdotal policy-making to a robust, data-driven governance model. The MOUs are designed to break down bureaucratic silos, allowing for the seamless transformation of routine administrative data into high-quality official statistics that will directly feed into national development planning.

“We are gathered here today not merely to sign documents, but to strengthen the foundations of evidence-based governance in Ghana,” Mr. Debrah stated in his keynote address. He emphasized that in the modern era, data is critical infrastructure, and the coordination of data systems across government is essential to accurately measure progress and deliver on mandates.

The event saw a high-level convergence of state leadership, underscoring the whole-of-government approach to the initiative. Dignitaries present included the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel Nartey George; the Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Evans Aggrey-Darkoh; and the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Yussif Issaka Jajah.

Also in attendance were the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Zia Choudhury, and the Deputy Minister for Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, signaling strong support from both international partners and the financial sector in institutionalizing this data revolution.

This collaborative framework is expected to enhance transparency, improve resource allocation, and ensure that government interventions are precisely targeted to meet the needs of Ghanaians.