Takoradi Technical University TTU, in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service, GSS, has launched the 2024 Statistical Data Hackathon Competition for students of the University. The competition aims to raise awareness of the GSS Statsbank and other data sources for policy relevant-research as well as promote the use of data for research and teaching.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Abeka Ansah, Assistant Chief Statistician, underscored the critical importance of statistics in fostering effective evidence-based planning and decision-making. He emphasized the growing global demand for statistics to support socio-economic development.
“There is significant demand and considerable change in global data, which provides more timely, relevant, and high-quality social statistics for effective evidence-based planning and decision-making,” he stated.
Dr. Ansah noted that the Ghana Statistical Service has expanded its statistical products to attract investments and business opportunities.
“the GSS has recently broadened its pool of statistical products and engagement methods with users, aiming to enhance the use of data-driven evidence for national policy-making, attracting foreign investment, and facilitating business and household decision-making,” he highlighted.
He said the 2024 Statistical Data Hackathon Competition is designed to promote the use of appropriate datasets from the StatsBank to create products that supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
“This year’s hackathon focuses on applying and promoting innovative technologies, analytical procedures, visualization techniques, and easily accessible platforms for data-driven evidence, utilizing appropriate datasets from the StatsBank. This competition aims to tackle real-world challenges, harness statistical power to uncover hidden trends, and showcase creative solutions,” he explained.
Prof. Joe Turkson, Dean of TTU’s Faculty of Applied Sciences which led TTU’s collaboration with GSS, while opening the hackathon, emphasised the vital role of statistics in decision-making.
“You will all agree that statistics is essential, and decisions made without regard to statistical data often lead to misleading outcomes,” he stated.
Prof. Turkson also highlighted the potential of hackathons, noting that many successful startups have emerged from similar competitions.
“Literature indicates that numerous popular startups were born during hackathons. I hope this statistical hackathon will bring out the best in each team,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the TTU Librarian, Papa Kwamina Fynn, encouraged the Hackathon Competition participants to develop innovations that address the University’s challenges and enhance its global reputation.
“The Vice Chancellor is particularly interested in this programme and want participants to push boundaries, think deeply, and utilize available data to devise solutions that will help address TTU’s challenges”, he urged.
The competition will select the top three teams from a group of five after a 36-hour event, who will then compete at the national level against six other Technical Universities in Ghana. The top three teams will receive cash prizes of GH¢5,000, GH¢3,000, and GH¢2,000, respectively.
