RSSeNEWS to be determined...

Ghana has called upon the military, the media, traditional leaders and the public to help make the 2010 census a success.

With census night fixed for 26 September, Government Statistician and head of the Ghana Statistical Service (SS) Dr Grace Bediako has asked Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to transport census materials to inaccessible parts of the country.

Lieutenant General Peter Blay, Chief of the Defence Staff of the GAF responded that "the armed forces are ready to provide all the practical assistance we can offer," and asked for specific details of what was required.

Some areas of Ghana are conflict prone, and Bediako has also asked GAF to provide security for census enumerators. Blay reportedly told her that GAF would ensure the safety of enumerators in all parts of the country, but that enumerators should get briefings on the state of local security from "all other security agencies" before undertaking the count.

The National Census Secretariat has urged Ghana's media to play its part in the publicity and education campaign. Minister of Information, John Tia Akologu, said the media had a essential role getting the census message out to all parts the country.

Akologu also appealed to the population in general to co-operate with census officials. Similarly, Council of State member and President of the National House of Chiefs, Naa Professor J.S. Nabila, asked traditional leaders to work with census officials to achieve “a well-covered census”.

Meanwhile, winners have been announced in the census jingle competition. Mr Isaac Ackom scooped the first prize – plus a cheque for GH¢1,000.