Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-18 10:25:26
The Gambia is gearing up to conduct its first-ever digital population and housing census from May 25 to June 14, 2024. The 2024 Population and Housing Census (PHC) will be carried out by The Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) in collaboration with various government stakeholders and development partners. The funding and technical assistance for the census are being provided by the Government of The Gambia, the World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The census is a decennial exercise in The Gambia, with the last one conducted in April 2013.
The primary objective of the 2024 population and housing census is to gather data on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the population, as well as household and housing details. This information is crucial for Central and Local Governments to plan and provide various social services such as education, health, housing, and sanitation. Additionally, the data derived from the census will aid the private sector and businesses in their planning activities, contributing to the overall economic development of the country. The 2024 PHC will also cater to the data requirements of the National Development Plan (2024-2028) and support regional, continental, and global agendas.
To ensure the success of the census, GBoS will conduct a pilot census in selected districts of each region from March 5th to March 24th, 2024. This pilot will test the census methodology, questionnaires, data collection methods, ICT solutions, and various aspects related to the organization of the enumeration process. It aims to identify potential challenges and ensure high-quality data collection during the actual census period.
All individuals who spend the census night in The Gambia will be counted, including those in households, institutions (Group Quarters), outdoor sleepers, and those in transit on census night. Field workers, identifiable by their census Identification Cards, uniforms, and GBoS logo, will visit households from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm during the pilot and actual census.
Recruitment for census field officers will be conducted online, with interested applicants required to apply through the GBoS registration system. Public cooperation is essential during the data collection phase of this national exercise.
In conclusion, the slogan “Everyone Counts, Get Counted” embodies the inclusivity and significance of the upcoming 2024 Population and Housing Census in The Gambia. The cooperation of the general public is vital in ensuring the success and accuracy of this important data-gathering initiative.
Signed: Statistician General
Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS)
Read the original article on The Standard
