UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: Raymond Wegwi
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region, on Friday, organized a programme, dubbed “2024 Statistical Data -Hackathon Competition”, at Sumbrungu, the main campus of the University.
As part of the event, some students of BTU were empowered on how to deploy the Ghana Statistical Service online databank to solve societal problems .
Based on the empowerment, the students who were put into groups namely team Lucky, Fishe, Golsa, Akukula and Jaguar to compete for the occasion, undertook research in the areas of Consumers Producers Index, Poverty Hotspots in the North, Neonatal Mortality, Drought in the North and Gender Equality, using the Ghana Statistical Service online databank. They showcased products during the competition session.
The occasion, under the theme “Unlocking Data Potential: Innovate for Impact”, also attracted Heads of Department , Lecturers, Students , assembly members and Chiefs and people of the area
Speaking at the event, the Regional focal person for the 2024 Hackathon, Dr Benjamin Apam, explained that , the purpose of the Hackathon is not just about competition but it is a platform for collaboration and learning where students have had the opportunity to engage deeply with the GSS StatsBank, the mentors, their colleague students in different fields as well as staff of the GSS.
According to him, through the Statistical Data -Hackathon Competition, the students have explored how integrated datasets can be leveraged to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and the world today. He expressed happiness about the products the students developed and stressed that they have the potential of contributing to sustainable development.
The government statistician, Prof Samuel kobina Annim underscored the power of data and noted that it can be used to misinform, disinform or inform people by the users .
He stated that he was so overwhelmed about how the students tapped into the the GSS StatsBank to come out with such innovations and stressed the need for effective collaboration between his outfit and Universities .
He explained that it is the intention of the GSS to equip students and lecturers in tertiary institution with skills on how to deploy the various data apps developed by his outfit to help bring about positive economic, social and political change in the country.
He reiterated the need for stakeholders to collaborate with GSS to tackle the issue of accountability noted that it is very critical for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof Peter Boamah, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of BTU, who chaired the occasion , said he was very grateful for the collaboration and encouraged the students to continue in studying data science with the same passion and enthusiasm that they have shown during the event.
He added that the skills and knowledge gained by the students will undoubtedly serve them well in their future endeavors and remarked that this is just the beginning of journey to make big difference with data , as the Hackathon is just more than a competition ,it celebrate, Innovate, collaborate and pursuit of knowledge.
The winners were Jaguar, for 2nd runner up, Akukula for the 1st runner up and Golsa as the winner . The GSS gave them certificates and ¢2,000 ,¢3,000 and ¢5,000 respectively and they will also represent the university at all the Technical Universities Hackathon at the national level competition. Also in an attendance were the board chair of GSS, Dr Grace Badiako.
