Govt prioritises data quality to drive people-centred development initiatives

Lois Mulube, the Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary for Planning and Administration, has highlighted government’s focus on enhancing data quality to drive people-centered development initiatives.

Speaking during the commemoration of the 2024 World Population Day in Lusaka, Mulube said government was committed to improving data quality, analysis and utilization.

This effort, she noted, was aimed at enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescent girls, youths, women and persons living with disabilities.

Mulube underscored Zambia’s adherence to international frameworks like the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development, the International Conference on Population and Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

These commitments, she explained, necessitated informed policy development supported by robust population data.

“Zambia has made significant strides in strengthening its statistical framework through the Statistics Act No. 13 of 2018 and the National Strategy for Development of Statistics,” Mulube stated, noting that these initiatives facilitate the establishment of an integrated national statistical system and enhanced coordination in statistical production.

To ensure accessibility of population data, Mulube highlighted Zambia’s regular conduct of household surveys and decennial census operations.

Meanwhile, Seth Broekman, the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) Country Representative, emphasized the critical role of population data in enabling targeted interventions, assessing needs, and guiding resource allocation.

He stressed the importance of inclusive data for effective decision-making and policy formulation.

“It’s not just about numbers and statistics; it’s about people—about you, your families, and our communities,” Broekman emphasized.

He highlighted examples where population data supported health interventions by prioritizing disease prevalence and allocating medical supplies effectively.

Broekman also acknowledged UNFPA’s collaboration with the Zambian government in conducting national censuses and surveys, underscoring the importance of continued partnership in data collection and analysis for sustainable development.

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