The Gambia
Bureau of Statistic Friday hosted a workshop in launching a pilot project for
the use of mobile technologies in the collection of data, at the Baobab Resort
in Bijilo, which brought together GBoS officials, market representatives and
GSM operators.
In his remarks, the Statistician General, Nyakassi Sanyang, said The Gambia was chosen as a pilot country in West Africa for the use of mobile technology for data collection by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), through its regional office in Niger.
The main aim of the project is to improve the timely production of data in the continent, and hence improve its quality and relevance, he said.
He added that the initiative came when a meeting was held in Cape Verde, and The Gambia was chosen among five countries for the project.
Studies were conducted to ensure if this could be a success, he said, adding that he was counting on the support of everyone to make the pilot project a success.
The focal point of the pilot project, Sheriffo Ceesay, said the study was on what form of technology to use, and they came up with the android, and schools and organizations were selected for the study, and it was a success, he said.
The project was developed by Gambians, and there is a need to start doing things on our own rather relying on others, Ceesay added.
They are working closely with ITC for proper implementation of software systems, as national statistic systems in most part of Africa use paper data collecting methods.
Justifying the importance of the project, he said, it would go a long way in facilitating easy and timely data collection.
He called on the GSM companies to help as their support is needed in providing good networks to sustain the project.
The director of prices, Ousman Dibba, also said the project is not here to eliminate the manual form of collecting data, but to enhance and make their work much easier.
He said participants are called on board as they are directly involved in the project, and urged them to take the opportunity, as it would only be useful if all join in.
