ATC211202: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, on the African Charter on Statistics to Parliament for Ratification, Signing and Deposit of the Instrument, Date: 01 December 2021

NCOP Economic and Business Development

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, on the African Charter on Statistics to Parliament for Ratification, Signing and Deposit of the Instrument, Date: 01 December 2021

1. Background

The African Charter on Statistics was adopted at the 11th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 03 February 2009.  The purpose of the historic step by the Executive Council of the African Union to call for the development of the Charter was to address the huge gaps that have, in spite of efforts that have been taken, still exist between the supply and demand for statistical information needed for the development and for the African integration agenda. Following the endorsement of the Charter, the Strategy for the Harmonisation of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA) was adopted. On 01 December 2021 the African charter on statistics was considered and adopted by the Committee. 

2. Recommendation

Statistics play a crucial role for governments to understand the performance of the economy towards Gross Domestic Product’s (GDP) growth or stagnancy. Statistics help governments to determine whether or not the labour market caters for the demands of the economy as well as whether or not all elements of the planning system are helping towards addressing the demands of populations and societies. The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the African Charter on Statistics, tabled in terms of section 231 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, recommend that the National Assembly approve the abovementioned Agreement.

 

Request to be considered.