Eastern Region ready for the population census

Koforidua, Sept 8, GNA- The Eastern Regional Statistician, Mr Francis Awortwi, has indicated that the region is ready and well-prepared for the smooth take-off of the 2010 Housing and Population census slated for September 26.

He said so far the compilation of selected candidates to be trained as supervisors and field officers or enumerators was complete and that they were ready for the training programme to prepare them for the task.

Mr Awortwi who disclosed this in an interview with the GNA in Koforidua on the state of preparedness of the Statistical Service in the Region towards the census, said although successful candidates had been selected, the actual figure of field officers and supervisors would be known after the training, since those who would not meet the required standards would be dropped.

He indicated that materials for the public education and awareness creation to whip up public interest in the census had been received and distributed to all the districts to collaborate with the Information Services Department (ISD) for the sensitization.

Mr Awortwi appealed to the media, especially the radio stations in the Region, to use their medium to talk about the up-coming census, particularly the census night to ensure that the public understood what the census was all about.

He urged the media to help erase negative perceptions of the public, especially the wrong notion that the census would be used as basis to tax the people.

They should also step up public education and the playing of jingles prepared by the census committee for better appreciation by the public.

The Regional Statistician also called on the public to collaborate with the field officers and give them accurate information.

He advised the public to take basic information from visitors who spend the census night with them.

Mr Awortwi explained that since persons would be enumerated with reference to where they were on the night of 26th September, termed the census night, it was important that basic information on visitors was obtained.