ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN CENSUS DISSEMINATION AND UTILIZATION United Nations Regional Seminar on Promotion & utilization of Census Results and on revision of the Principles &Recommendations for Population & Housing Censuses. Pretoria, South Africa, March 2014 Presentation by; Samba Barrow, Gambian Delegate.

OUTLINE POPULATION OVERVIEW TOOLS TO ENCHANCED CENSUS RESULTS DISSEMINATION TOOLS FOR THE PUBLICITY OF CENSUS RESULTS CHALLENGES WAY FORWARD

POPULATION OVERVIEW 2013 Census Preliminary Results Population Male population = 49.5 % Female Population = 50.5%

TOOLS TO ENHANCE CENSUS DATA DISSEMINATION PRE ENUMERATION STAGE -Geographical Information System (GIS) was designed and developed for accurate and timely generation of enumeration area maps for the census. -Sensitization of inhabitants of the census within the national boundaries was facilitated with the use of public, private, community based radio and television stations.

ENUMERATION STAGE Mobile phones usage eased communication between all stakeholders such as field staff, supervisors, office staff and coordinators between local government areas (LGA) Regional office based computers for keeping human resource database and other administrative purposes Internet broad band to facilitate communication between officials in the LGAs and main office.

POST ENUMERATION STAGE Data processing ; computer based program, Cspro used to key and editing of data to identify inconsistencies during the data entry stage Data analysis; CSpro used to generate specific tables and overall data analysis Storing census data; CD-Roms, external hard disk, hard disk and server

TOOLS FOR PUBLICITY OF CENSUS RESULTS TRADITIONAL.National, Private & Community radio stations National TV station Power point presentations in workshops / seminars by local government area. News papers NON TRADITIONAL Official Website SMS. Gaminfo

CHALLENGES Inadequate national / community radio and TV coverage Accessibility of technology such as mobile phones and internet facilities / services by the general public and data users Keeping up to date with modern and evolving technology in terms of compatibility Establishing effective Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) between users and producers of data Funding of census activities

WAY FORWARD Improve television, radio and news paper coverage nationally. Increase access of mobile phones and internet services country wide. Web base linkages with institutions such as universities and research units. Scanning technology to expedite census data processing and analysis. Introduce a robust Vital Statistic Registration system to limit the ever increasing and unsustainable cost of conducting decennial censuses. Capacity building of bureau staff in the area of ICT

THE END THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. MERCI.