The Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS), with its focus on the household as a key social and economic unit, provides valuable insights into living conditions in Ghana. The survey was carried out by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) over a 12-month period (April 1998 to March 1999). A representative nationwide sample of more than 5,998 households, containing over 25,000 persons, was covered in GLSS IV.
The fourth round of the GLSS has the following objectives:
· To provide information on patterns of household consumption and expenditure disaggregated at greater levels.
· In combination with the data from the earlier rounds to serve as a database for national and regional planning.
· To provide in-depth information on the structure and composition of the wages and conditions of work of the labor force in the country.
· To provide benchmark data for compilation of current statistics on average earnings, hours of work and time rates of wages and salaries that will indicate wage/salary differentials between industries, occupations, geographic locations and gender.
Additionally, the survey will enable policy-makers to
· Identify vulnerable groups for government assistance;
· Analyze the impact of decisions that have already been implemented and of the economic situation on living conditions of households;
· Monitor and evaluate the employment policies and programs, income generating and maintenance schemes, vocational training and similar programs. The joint measure of employment, income and expenditure provides the basis for analyzing the adequacy of employment of different categories of workers and income-generating capacity of employment-related economic development.