ECOWAS HOLDS TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS ON BIG DATA, SECTORIAL STATISTICAL INDICATORS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL STATISTICAL SYSTEMS
"The ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, as part of the World Bank–funded Project for the Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA/PHASAOC), is holding workshops on Big Data, Sector Statistics Indicators, and Environmental Statistics to Strengthen Regional Statistical Systems in ECOWAS Member States, in Abidjan, Côte […]"
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, as part of the World Bank–funded Project for the Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA/PHASAOC), is holding workshops on Big Data, Sector Statistics Indicators, and Environmental Statistics.
These sessions aim to strengthen regional statistical systems in ECOWAS Member States and are taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from May 18th to 22nd, 2026.
The workshops seek to finalise the regional Big Data framework as a roadmap for implementation aligned with international standards for use by National Statistical Institutes. They also aim to verify the completeness and consistency of indicators of sector statistics within and across Member States, and facilitate the sharing of experiences under the Regional Programme for Environmental Statistics (PRSE) to improve environmental data systems and support evidence-based decision-making.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Fofana Felix N’Zue, Acting Director of Research and Statistics of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted that the workshops aim at strengthening ECOWAS statistical systems through the harmonisation and validation of indicators of sector statistics.
He stressed the importance of regional collaboration.
"Statistics are the compass of public policies. Without reliable data, our decisions feel like a journey without a map or landmarks." — Prof. Fofana Felix N’Zue, Acting Director of Research and Statistics, ECOWAS Commission
Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi, Acting Director of Environment of the ECOWAS Commission, in his statement emphasised environmental and climate data as a strategic tool for sustainable development in ECOWAS, especially in the face of climate change, resource degradation, and rapid urbanization.
He also noted the progress achieved through the Regional Programme for Environmental Statistics (RPES).
Mr. Tiekoro Doumbia, Director General of the National Statistics Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ANSTAT), in his remarks highlighted that no relevant public policy can be conceived without reliable data. He added that statistics guide inform decision-making, measure progress, reveal inequalities, and guide resource allocation.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted that the workshops are aimed at strengthening regional statistical systems. He noted their role in validating and harmonising indicators of sector statistics, improving environmental statistics for better climate and sustainability monitoring, and integrating Big Data to modernise and accelerate statistical production.
"Statistics is not simply a collection of figures. It is an instrument of governance, a tool for transparency, and a lever for development." — Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission
At the end of the five-day workshops, a regional framework and implementation roadmap for the use of Big Data in the ECOWAS region will be finalised, covering all key areas of collaboration.
PRSE-related indicators will be consolidated and validated, while data and metadata will be shared in line with PRSE guidelines and the sectoral statistics framework.
In addition, national institutional and regulatory frameworks will be reviewed and shared, and a roadmap for monitoring the implementation of the PRSE will be validated.
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Key Impact
- This initiative will modernize Ghana's agricultural data systems by introducing Big Data tools, enabling faster and more accurate crop yield predictions and market trend analysis.
- Harmonized sector statistics across ECOWAS will allow Ghana to benchmark its agricultural performance against neighbors like Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, identifying areas for improvement.
- Improved environmental statistics will help Ghana monitor deforestation in the Ashanti Region and soil degradation in the Northern Region, supporting sustainable farming practices.
- The regional framework will streamline data sharing between Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture and ECOWAS institutions, reducing duplicate surveys and saving resources.
Background
- The workshops are part of the World Bank-funded HISWACA/PHASAOC project, which aims to harmonize and improve statistics in West and Central Africa, including Ghana.
- ECOWAS recognizes that weak data systems hinder evidence-based policymaking in agriculture, leading to poor resource allocation and missed opportunities for smallholder farmers.
- Ghana's Statistical Service (GSS) currently faces challenges in collecting and analyzing agricultural data due to limited funding and technical capacity, especially in rural areas like the Volta Region.
- The Regional Programme for Environmental Statistics (PRSE) was established to address the lack of reliable climate and environmental data, which is critical for Ghana's cocoa and cashew sectors.
Benefits
- Ghanaian farmers will gain access to real-time weather and market data through Big Data tools, helping them make better planting and selling decisions.
- Harmonized indicators will enable the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to compare production data accurately with other West African cocoa producers, boosting trade negotiations.
- Environmental statistics will support Ghana's efforts to track carbon emissions from agriculture and qualify for international climate finance programs like REDD+.
- Regional cooperation will reduce the cost of data collection for Ghana by sharing methodologies and technologies, freeing up funds for extension services.
Risks & Warnings
- If Ghana's Internet infrastructure in rural areas like the Upper East Region remains poor, Big Data tools may not benefit remote farming communities, widening the digital divide.
- Inadequate data privacy laws in Ghana could lead to misuse of farmers' personal and production data, eroding trust in the statistical system.
- Harmonization may prioritize regional indicators over local needs, causing Ghana's unique crops like yams and plantains to be underreported or mismanaged in policy decisions.
- Without sustained funding after the World Bank project ends, Ghana's National Statistical Institute may struggle to maintain the new Big Data systems and training.
Who Is Affected
- Smallholder farmers in Ghana's Bono East and Oti Regions will be directly affected, as new data tools will influence their access to subsidies, credit, and market information.
- The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in Ghana will use the harmonized statistics to design more targeted interventions, such as irrigation projects in the dry Sahelian zones.
- Ghana's Statistical Service (GSS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will need to train staff to handle Big Data and environmental reports, impacting their workflows.
- Regional bodies like the ECOWAS Commission and West African farmers' unions will rely on the improved data to advocate for policies that benefit Ghana's agricultural sector.
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