By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called for the establishment of a dedicated electronic portal to make official statistical data more accessible, particularly to researchers, policymakers, businesses and other stakeholders seeking to improve economic decision-making.
According to him, making underlying datasets available in machine-readable and easily usable formats would enable users to apply artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and other advanced analytical tools to identify economic patterns, relationships and trends that may not be immediately apparent from published tables and charts.
Dr Asiama made the call on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during the launch of the maiden edition of the electronic portalat the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
The publication, introduced by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), focuses on providing accessible and authoritative information on Ghana’s socioeconomic conditions.
The Governor commended the Ghana Statistical Service for the initiative, describing the publication as an important national resource that could help policymakers assess the country’s progress, identify emerging challenges and establish national development priorities.
He stressed that reliable and timely statistics were essential to effective monetary policy, noting that the central bank relied on accurate data to assess inflation, exchange-rate movements, economic activity, credit conditions and external developments.
Dr Asiama explained that high-quality statistics were not only important for policy formulation but also strengthened transparency, accountability and public confidence in state institutions.
He added that businesses and investors depended on reliable economic information to assess risks and make informed investment decisions.
The Governor welcomed the inclusion of a dedicated monetary and financial-sector section in the report, which draws substantially on official data produced by the Bank of Ghana.
The section covers areas such as inflation, interest rates, credit to businesses and households, foreign reserves and banking-sector conditions.
He further disclosed that the Bank of Ghana was strengthening its institutional capacity in data analytics and artificial intelligence through the establishment of a dedicated Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Department.
As part of its broader approach to technological innovation, he said the central bank was also developing a directive to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector.
The initiative, he explained, was intended to encourage innovation while addressing the potential risks associated with emerging technologies.
Dr Asiama also highlighted the importance of macroeconomic stability in supporting youth entrepreneurship and access to finance.
He said Ghana’s growing youth population presented significant opportunities for innovation and enterprise development, but stressed that these opportunities could only be fully realised if young people were equipped with relevant skills and provided with an enabling environment to establish and grow businesses.
He noted that the theme of the maiden edition of Ghana in Numbers 2025—“Youth and the Demographic Transition”—addressed a critical issue in Ghana’s long-term development agenda.
According to him, reliable demographic, social and economic information would help policymakers understand the circumstances of young people, identify gaps in opportunities and develop policies that respond to their needs.
Providing an update on economic conditions, Dr Asiama said inflation had remained in single digits for 13 consecutive months, while the exchange rate had been relatively stable despite external challenges.
He also indicated that resilience in the banking sector had improved significantly.
He cited a decline in the average lending rate from 30.25 per cent in December 2024 to 15.78 per cent in September 2026.
Over the same period, growth in real private-sector credit increased from 0.20 per cent to 26.42 per cent, according to figures presented in his address.
The Governor added that the Bank of Ghana was pursuing complementary initiatives to promote financial inclusion, improve financial health and encourage responsible innovation.
These efforts, he said, were aimed at making formal financial services more accessible, affordable and convenient, particularly for young people, women, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and underserved communities.
Dr Asiama concluded by urging stakeholders to view Ghana in Numbers as more than a statistical publication, describing it as a national resource that could support evidence-based decisions and contribute to a more productive, inclusive and prosperous future.
He congratulated the Ghana Statistical Service, its governing board, management and all contributing institutions and individuals, expressing hope that the publication would become a trusted and enduring reference for understanding Ghana’s development and guiding national policy.
