The Grand Finale of the 2024 Statistical-Data Hackathon is currently taking place in Accra, spotlighting innovative solutions that harness data to address Ghana’s developmental challenges.
The three-day competition features six technical universities—Accra, Koforidua, Takoradi, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, and Wa—utilizing datasets from the Statistical Online Bank (StatsBank) to create impactful solutions.
Promoting Practical Data Use
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Kobina Abaka Ansah, Assistant Chief Statistician at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), emphasized the need to make better use of available data.
“Too often, data remains untouched, failing to reach its full potential. This initiative promotes the practical use of data already collected to develop impactful solutions,” he said.
Dr. Ansah urged students to align their work with industry needs, leveraging StatsBank and other resources to create real-world solutions.
Incentives and International Exposure
The event, partially funded by the Danish government, follows Ghanaian students’ recent presentation of their innovations on African Statistics Day.
Dr. Francis Kweku Siripi, National Coordinator of the Hackathon, announced cash prizes for the top three teams—GHS20,000, GHS15,000, and GHS10,000—alongside medals for all participants.
He praised the creativity on display, noting that many of the students’ products, once refined, could address critical national issues.
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Bridging Academia and Industry
The Hackathon underscores the role of data in driving innovation and connecting academia with industry. Participants are challenged to deliver impactful solutions within a 36-hour time frame, reinforcing the importance of data in shaping Ghana’s development trajectory.
