Making JMP data more useful for local decision-making in Ghana

Data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) portray Ghana as being on track to meeting her MDG target for drinking water. However, data from local water supply agencies portray Ghana as being off track. It has been established that differences between the figures are caused by differences in statistical methodologies. Sector professionals and the general public have hardly planned with JMP/GSS data for fear of exaggeration since water scarcity is still rampant in Ghana. A critical analysis of JMP/GSS data by the Water and Sanitation Monitoring Platform reveals that if the time that people spend to collect water was to be considered during data analyses and reporting, the JMP/GSS data would be more acceptable to stakeholders for planning and decision-making. The time factor should therefore be considered when the JMP is reviewing methodologies for the period beyond 2015.