President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Dr Alhassan Iddrisu as Ghana’s new Government Statistician, charging him to lead a bold transformation of the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) with data and evidence at the heart of national development.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Jubilee House on Friday, May 2, 2025, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the interior minister, health minister, defence minister, Minister of Communications, the Minister of Justice, and other senior officials.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr Iddrisu expressed deep gratitude to President Mahama for the trust reposed in him, describing the appointment as “a sacred national duty” rather than a mere position.
“This is a call to lead the charge in placing data and evidence at the heart of governance and national transformation. In a rapidly changing world where information drives prosperity, the role of the Ghana Statistical Service has never been more crucial than now.”
Dr Iddrisu outlined his vision to modernize and reposition the GSS into a technology-driven, agile, and globally trusted institution. He stressed the need for credible, timely, and disaggregated data to support Ghana’s macroeconomic stabilization and socio-economic advancement.
Among his top priorities:
Fast-tracking the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to improve inflation data quality
Extending CPI reporting to district level to support decentralization
Producing rural-urban inflation data to reflect local economic realities
Rebasing Ghana’s GDP every five years instead of the current ten-year cycle
Introducing Monthly Indicators of Economic Growth (MIEG) to complement BoG’s Composite Index
Developing regional GDP data to inform localized policy-making
Regularizing quarterly employment and unemployment statistics to track labour market dynamics, youth employment, and job creation under government initiatives.
“With the enduring support of the President, the Honourable Finance Minister, our development partners, and the good people of Ghana, I am committed to working with the exceptional team at GSS to position our Service as a world-class institution and a trusted pillar in Ghana’s development journey,” Dr. Iddrisu affirmed.
BRIEF PROFILE
Dr Alhassan Iddrisu is a distinguished economist with over 27 years of expertise in economic policy management, public finance, development economics, climate change financing, petroleum revenue management, and economic integration. He has an extensive publication record in these areas and has made significant contributions to Ghana’s economic development.
Currently, Dr Iddrisu serves as the Chief Economics Officer and Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division (ESRD) at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance. In this capacity, he leads strategic economic research, policy analysis, and the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at advancing the nation’s economic goals.
Over the years, Dr Iddrisu has held several key leadership roles within the Ministry of Finance. These include serving as Director of the Economic Planning Division (EPD), the Real Sector Division (RSD), and the Economic Research and Forecasting Division (ERFD). His leadership and expertise have been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and strategies.
Beyond his work at the Ministry, Dr Iddrisu has served on numerous governing boards, councils, and committees, where his extensive knowledge and leadership have significantly influenced national development initiatives. He has also collaborated with leading global organizations, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and has consulted for various international and local institutions.
Dr. Iddrisu’s outstanding contributions to public service have earned him multiple accolades, including being named “Best Director” in Ghana’s Civil Service for four years (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022). These awards recognise his exceptional performance, commitment, and dedication to duty.
His teaching engagements reflect his commitment to academic excellence, capacity-building, and knowledge dissemination in key areas of economics, public policy, and development—contributing to the education and professional growth of students and government staff alike.
Dr. Iddrisu holds a PhD and Master’s degree in International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. He also earned an MPhil in Economics and a BA in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, Legon.
Source: starrfm.com.gh
