Prof Bokpin Says Ghana's Public Debate Lacks Data-Driven Approach

Economics professor Godfred Bokpin has urged Ghana to prioritize data-driven decision-making, lamenting that national conversations are too often swayed by emotion rather than evidence.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Forum for Data Producers, Users and Enhancers, Professor Bokpin emphasized the critical role of reliable data in effective governance and economic management. He argued that a nation’s progress hinges on solid data, even more so than natural resources.

“As an academic, I value data more than gold or oil. Without data, nothing gets done. That is how important it is,” Prof. Bokpin stated during a panel discussion.

He pointed out that despite the wealth of information generated annually by the Ghana Statistical Service, much of it remains untapped. He called on policymakers, businesses, and the general public to actively integrate this data into their planning, monitoring, and evaluation processes.

“There is so much data harvested by the Statistical Service, yet many people think they only produce GDP figures,” he observed. “The real question is: how often do we rely on data in our daily lives? How data‑driven are we?”

Professor Bokpin expressed concern that national debates frequently resemble talk shows, lacking the rigor of evidence-based exchanges. He believes a greater reliance on data would foster more constructive dialogue and reduce conflict.

“If we were driven by data as a country, there would be fewer disagreements, less emotion and probably fewer fights, because data simply speaks for itself,” he added.

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