Enumerators of the 2021 population and housing census in New Juaben South Municipality undergoing ten days training program which started from Monday, 31st May 2021 are agitating over a slash in transportation allowance promised them.
According to the enumerators, they were initially promised Ghc550 for transportation at the end of the training but the amount was reduced to Ghc440 and subsequently Ghc330.
This has sparked serious concerns with many threatening to boycott the entire census for fear of being short-changed.
However, the Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) Bright Worlanyo Neku has urged agitating Field data collection officers to remain calm explaining that the mishap was a result of miscommunication.
“Their T&T in contention now, we promised to give them Ghc500 but later on they’ve heard that we slashed it to Ghc440 then now going down to Ghc330 so because of those things they want to boycott the program. When I went there I met the facilitators, we discussed the issues, so I explained to the facilitators that this is the situation”.
He added “the first thing I did was that, during the opening address, the address was sent from Accra from the Chief Executive which was read to them, in that opening address, it was stated that they will pay them G440 for ten days. So where they got that Ghc50 (per day) from I don’t. It was that document that the Ghc440 was quoted. But later, we had another communiqué that the Ghc440 was a mistake so it is now going to be Ghc30 for their T&T per day “He told the media in Koforidua.
Further clarity on the matter was later stated in a Statement by the Government Statistician Prof. Samuel Annim, “On the side of GSS, we will be providing a transport allowance of GH₵330. The first tranche of 30% will be paid after the first week of training. The second tranche of 40% will be paid in the second week of training and the last tranche will be paid three days after the start of the listing. Trainees that do not complete the training or who are selected but the decline will forfeit the final 30%. For trainees who will finally be selected as Enumerators, a lump sum of GH₵2,520 will be paid for the listing and enumeration exercise. For trainees who will be selected as Supervisors, their remuneration will be GH₵2,940 for the listing and enumeration exercise. These amounts will be paid in tranches and the details are provided in the contracts. All payments will be done via G-money and so all trainees should ensure they are registered on G-Money and provide the correct telephone number for payment
The 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC) is estimated to cost the country GHS 521 million.
Out of this amount, the government has raised and disbursed GHS 467 million for the start of the exercise.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says the 2021 census will begin across the country from Sunday, June 27,(Census night). The exercise will run till July 11, 2021.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
