Apathy towards census

Accra, Sept. 27, GNA - A visit by the GNA news team to the Accra business district on the eve of the National Population and housing Census (PHC) shows an apathetic and ignorant attitude towards the whole PHC exercise.

The GNA observed that most of the night clubs were in full operation, with people busily enjoying themselves whiles others were selling and performing their normal activities.

A prostitute, Cynthia, in an interview with the GNA, said she was not aware today was census night and if the enumerators by chance get to her place of work, then she would be counted. Cynthia also said if she is not counted, that might not be her problem.

Fafa Antwi, another prostitute, noted that, because she works at night, she doesn't have time to listen to radio or watch television for information so she was not aware of the census. She said even if she is counted, it would not bring any money into her pocket or put food on her table.

Some of the people GNA tried speaking to, were not willing to talk, just because they said they do not have time for any government exercise.

Nana Yaw, a store keeper, who spoke to the team, observed that, he saw some people marking buildings and stores, but was not aware of any impending exercise, so the team have to take time to educate him on the importance of the whole exercise to the country. He promised to welcome the census enumerators, who would come to his shop or house and would also educate his colleagues about the exercise.

The feedback the News team got was, either the education was not effective or that people are just apathetic to the whole exercise.