UN Resident Coordinator’s Statement at the Pre-Global Data Festival Ghana High Level Meeting

Good morning and welcome. It is an honor to host our guests from Kenya, Colombia and beyond, and all participants here in Accra for this important dialogue under the theme Driving Data Innovation, Policy, and South-South Collaborations. 

On behalf of the UN Country Team in Ghana, I thank the Government of Ghana for hosting this pre-Global Data Festival meeting. Ghana’s leadership in advancing data for development is globally recognized, making it the ideal place to reflect, share ideas to shape Africa’s voice ahead of the Global Data Festival in Nairobi next year.”

Your Excellency, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, today’s gathering is not only timely but significant. With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the urgency to harness data for transformative action has never been greater. As the world accelerates efforts towards the SDGs, reliable and timely data stands out as an indispensable priority.

Investing in data unlocks a true dividend - better policies, smarter investments, and saved lives.

Stronger data systems mean stronger economies, more accountable governance, and faster progress on the SDGs.

The UN identifies and believes that better data is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The most recent and notable evidence comes from a Dalberg analysis that suggests that there is an average return of US $32 for every dollar invested in data systems. 

The UN’s efforts to advance data-driven development have accelerated in recent years—from the launch of the UN Data Strategy in 2021, to prioritizing data for early warning systems in 2022, and the introduction of the Power of Data: High Impact Initiative in 2023. The message is clear: data is no longer optional; it is central to saving lives, driving results, and building a resilient future. UN has situated data as a cornerstone of action, results, and resilience. 

At the UN World Data Forum in April 2023, Secretary-General António Guterres described data as ‘the bedrock of a sustainable future’ and urged the forum to turbocharge its transformative Power to accelerate progress on the2030 Agenda. 

These milestones reflect the UN’s conviction that trustworthy, timely, and inclusive data is essential for achieving the SDGs, building resilience, and ensuring that no one is left behind. From the United Nations’ perspective, data is not simply about numbers. It is about people, dignity, and progress. It empowers governments to make informed choices, communities to voice their needs, and partners to design targeted and impactful interventions. 

Imagine how data transformed the life of a young girl in rural Ghana, allowing her to attend school regularly. Amina, a 15-year-old student, shares, “Now I can come to school every day. I want to become a nurse.” What began as raw school attendance data was analyzed and turned into actionable insights, revealing that low attendance among junior high school girls was not due to cultural or economic reasons, as previously assumed, but rather to the lack of affordable menstrual hygiene products and proper sanitation facilities in schools.

Without trustworthy and timely data, we cannot track progress, deliver results, or ensure accountability. With only about 15% of SDG targets currently on track globally, the urgency for better data with better evidence and accountability could not be clearer.

Governments and regional bodies are equally prioritizing data through various initiatives. The Pact for the Future, adopted by all Member States at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, positions data as a global public good—vital for evidence-based decision-making, tracking SDG progress, and addressing emerging global challenges. The Pact calls for stronger national data systems, enhanced digital cooperation, and inclusive access to reliable, disaggregated data.

The African Union Agenda also situates data as a core implementation enabler in its plans. It underscores the fact that the continent’s transformation must be knowledge-driven, requiring robust qualitative and quantitative data to support monitoring, evaluation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Your Excellency, I wish to congratulate Ghana for its remarkable leadership in this ecosystem. Beyond modernizing its data systems to strengthen transparency, policy relevance, and sustainable development through successive National Statistical and Data Strategy documents, Ghana has also advanced bold initiatives—such as the National Data Strategy and the recently launched data-driven 24-Hour Economy policy. These efforts clearly demonstrate the country’s commitment to harnessing data and innovation to drive inclusive growth, create jobs, and ensure no one is left behind. 

In alignment with global priorities, Ghana has demonstrated real leadership—launching its Early Warnings for All strategy and roadmap in October 2024, being among the first 16 countries to commit to the Power of Data High-Impact Initiative and officially launching  its National Data Partnership in February 2024. 

Her Excellency, your role as a Board Member of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data elevates Ghana’s leadership on the global data agenda, amplifies the voices and perspectives of developing countries, and opens new avenues for partnerships and resources for development.

The data ecosystem has been expanding with new energy, frameworks, and strategies. Yet the real question remains: how do we turn all this into impact?.  Beyond political commitment, we need bold and practical action that holds us accountable and ensures that everyone is included in the progress we seek. We must focus on strengthening public trust in data, ensuring its ethical and responsible use, and guarantee that data collected from people is not wasted, but used inclusively and accountably to shape policies that truly improve lives.

How do we ensure that the right data is used for the right purpose? How much of the data produced is used? 

Data can be overwhelming—but with clarity, responsibility and ethical management, and the right partnerships, we can turn numbers into meaningful actions that truly improve lives.

The UN Country Team remains fully committed to supporting national efforts to harness the power of data for sustainable development. Together with government and development partners, we will support efforts to invest in stronger statistical systems, promoting innovation in data use, and facilitating platforms for data partnerships, including collaboration with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data . 

It is our hope that the Global Data Festival and this pre-event represent more than a technical conversation. It should seek to build a culture of trust, openness, and collaboration—between governments, the private sector, civil society, and across the Global South. The UN in Ghana stands ready to contribute to this journey, working hand in hand with all stakeholders to unlock the power of data for transformation. 

I wish us all fruitful discussions and look forward to the innovative pathways and commitments that will emerge from this dialogue.

Thank You.