The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has commenced the second phase of the Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES II), marking one of the largest enterprise data collection exercises in the country’s recent history.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 16, the GSS announced that more than 2,000 trained field officers are currently visiting over 40,000 selected businesses across all 16 regions. The nationwide survey aims to collect current and comprehensive data to inform Ghana’s economic planning and policy direction.
According to the GSS, IBES II targets both formal and informal enterprises across more than 100 economic activity categories, with the data capturing key business indicators such as performance, job creation trends, capital investment flows, and operational challenges.
“This survey captures how businesses perform, where and how jobs are being created, how capital is being invested, and what challenges are holding firms back,” the statement noted.
Findings from IBES II are expected to significantly contribute to the computation of major national economic indicators, including the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Producer Price Index (PPI), and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Beyond headline statistics, the survey will also shed light on deeper economic concerns such as informal employment, productivity disparities, and the pace of regional development.
“This survey will help identify which sectors can scale, what kind of support businesses need to operate beyond regular hours, and where digital tools are improving productivity,” the GSS added.
The data will also serve as a critical resource for strengthening the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, which the GSS emphasises is vital for job creation and inclusive economic growth.
