President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Dr Alhassan Iddrisu as the
Acting Government Statistician of Ghana, pending final consultations with the
Council of State. The announcement was made in a statement released on Friday,
April 4, 2025, by the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix
Kwakye Ofosu.
Dr Iddrisu, a respected economist with years of experience in economic
policy and research, currently serves as the Director of the Economic Strategy
and Research Division at the Ministry of Finance. In this position, he leads
the team responsible for macroeconomic analysis, forecasting, and policy
advice. His role also includes coordinating assessments of Ghana’s real and
external economic sectors.
He is credited with playing a major part in the preparation of Ghana’s
Macroeconomic Outlook Report, which guides national economic planning and
budgeting. Dr Iddrisu has also contributed significantly to the development of
the National Budget and the broader Economic Policy framework.
His professional journey in the Ministry of Finance includes serving as the
Director of the Economic Research and Forecasting Division from 2013 to 2019.
Before that, he was the Acting Director of the Real Sector Division from 2010
to 2013. Over the years, he has represented the Ministry on several governing
boards, public councils, and technical committees where he has influenced
important decisions on economic development and national strategy.
Dr Iddrisu’s appointment is seen as a step toward strengthening the role of data
and statistics in national planning. His experience, both at the local and
international levels, makes him a suitable choice for this high-level position.
The President’s office stated that his leadership is expected to bring
innovation, accuracy, and transparency to the country’s statistical systems.
He is also known in academic circles, serving as a part-time lecturer at the
University of Professional Studies, Accra. His teachings focus on economics and
development studies, helping to train the next generation of economists and
policymakers. In addition to his public service and academic work, Dr Iddrisu
has worked as a consultant for international development organisations,
including Oxfam GB and the World Bank. These roles have broadened his perspective
and deepened his understanding of economic systems, poverty reduction, and
development planning.
Dr Iddrisu holds a PhD in International Development Studies from the
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo, Japan. He also holds
advanced degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and
the University of Ghana, Legon. His solid educational background has
contributed to his ability to deal with complex economic issues and design
effective policies.
The role of Government Statistician is a critical one in Ghana’s development
process. The individual occupying the office is responsible for overseeing the
Ghana Statistical Service, which collects, analyzes, and publishes key data on
population, economy, and society. These statistics are vital for government
planning, business decision-making, and international reporting. With Dr
Iddrisu at the helm, expectations are high that the Statistical Service will
see improvements in data quality, timely publication of reports, and increased
public trust in national statistics.
The presidency’s decision to consult the Council of State before confirming
the appointment shows the government’s commitment to due process. The Council
is expected to offer its advice in the coming days. Until then, Dr Iddrisu will
begin work in an acting capacity.
Reactions from across the economic and academic sectors have been largely
positive. Many stakeholders believe his appointment is well deserved,
considering his years of experience and dedication to public service. They see
him as someone who understands the challenges of the job and is capable of
delivering the reforms needed to modernise the statistical system.
Observers say his immediate focus will likely be on modernising data
collection methods, improving digital systems, and training staff. He is also
expected to build stronger links between the Statistical Service and other
ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure consistency in government data.
Dr Iddrisu’s background in research, forecasting, and policy makes him a
strong fit for a role that requires both technical knowledge and strategic
thinking. As Ghana continues to pursue economic growth and development,
reliable data and solid statistical analysis will be key tools in shaping decisions
that benefit all citizens.
His presence at the top of the Ghana Statistical Service comes at a time
when accurate data is needed more than ever to inform planning, track progress,
and promote transparency across sectors. The coming months will be closely
watched as he begins work in his new role and starts implementing changes in
line with the vision of the President.
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