MALLAM O.: FROM GERMANY TO AFRICA’S DATA FRONTIERS

Bongolistically.

By Mallam O.

As I completed in 2000 my doctoral degree in Statistics at the University of Dortmund, now the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany, I secured a postdoctoral position at the prestigious University of Heidelberg Medical School. There, I joined the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, eager to apply my expertise to real-world challenges. My Director Prof. Dr. Dr. Rainer Sauerborn, Deputy Director Prof. Dr. Heiko Becher and colleague Prof. Dr. Olaf Müller are to date wonderful friends. It was during my first year in this role that an unexpected opportunity arose—a consultancy with one of USA’s top universities, the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN).

This consultancy, under the Africa Census Analysis Project (ACAP), was led by its Director, Professor Tukufu Zuberi, an African American academic with a deep commitment to helping African countries own and analyse their census data. Tukufu’s leadership was inspiring, rooted in a vision to empower African nations to use their data for development. And there I was to help make this a reality.

During my visit to UPENN, I met Tukufu’s Ghanaian PhD student, Ayaga Bawah. Ayaga was deeply involved in the ACAP initiative and shared his insights with a calm yet passionate demeanour. Our meeting marked the beginning of a professional relationship that would later see us working together in Accra, Ghana, where Ayaga served as my Manager for Science Programme of the INDEPTH Network, for which I was the Executive Director.

Ayaga’s brilliance and dedication were evident even then, and it was no surprise that he later rose to become a Professor of Demography and Director of the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana. It was fulfilling to see how both of us had contributed to strengthening population data and its analysis in Africa.

The ACAP consultancy involved travelling across Africa to engage with government officials, statisticians, and academics about the role of census data in shaping development policies. The assignment was both exciting and daunting. It felt like a culmination of my academic journey and the beginning of something even greater—a chance to bridge knowledge and practice, bringing data to the forefront of decision-making in Africa.

My first stop was Johannesburg, South Africa, where I was immediately struck by the scale and sophistication of O.R. Tambo International Airport. It felt as though I had just woken up from a dream. It mirrored the infrastructural advancements of a nation striving to lead the continent, similar to what I had seen at Frankfurt am Main airport, leaving me momentarily disoriented. I held discussions on South Africa’s census issues with Statistician-General Dr. Pali Lehohla, exploring how ACAP could support their initiatives. Dr. Lehohla later became a valued colleague and a member of the Board of Trustees of the INDEPTH Network. Years later, in 2022, when I served as Vice-Chair of the United Nations Statistical Commission in New York, Pali and I shared a dinner. As we reminisced, we reflected on those earlier days and the strides we had made since then, appreciating how far our paths had intertwined over the years.

From Johannesburg, I travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, a quieter but equally impressive place. There, I met officials keen on using census data to sustain their economic progress, particularly in the mining and agricultural sectors.I had the unique opportunity to meet the President of Botswana, a moment made even more memorable by the enthusiasm of my colleagues at the Statistics Office. They were thrilled to see a young Black African serving as their consultant, breaking the usual expectations and inspiring a sense of pride and connection.

Next, I ventured to Maputo, Mozambique, a city that reflected strength and recovery. Mozambique, still emerging from its civil war, needed census data to rebuild its education and healthcare systems. The discussions were deeply tied to post-war planning and ensuring equitable resource distribution.

In Harare, Zimbabwe, I encountered a vibrant yet tense environment. Census conversations here focused on dealing with the political sensitivities of data collection. The officials were determined to ensure the credibility of their numbers, which were critical for resource allocation amidst economic and social challenges.

Nairobi, Kenya, brought a different energy. As a hub of East Africa, it blended modernity with traditional vibrancy. Census discussions revolved around urbanisation and the pressures it placed on infrastructure and services. Kenyan officials were keen to use data to better plan their cities and tackle inequalities.

From East Africa, I flew to Accra, Ghana, a city that radiated warmth and purpose. Ghana’s census systems were relatively advanced, but the officials were eager to integrate new technologies to improve outreach to remote areas. The discussions highlighted their ambition to lead in data-driven governance.

Banjul, The Gambia, followed. This small but dynamic nation offered unique challenges and opportunities. The officials were interested in linking census data with environmental changes, particularly the impact of coastal erosion on communities.

My journey then took me to Freetown, Sierra Leone—home. Returning to Freetown stirred a mix of emotions. The city carried a sense of hope, yet the scars of the civil war were still evident. Census issues here were deeply tied to ensuring data quality and rebuilding trust in institutions.

An amusing incident occurred when I visited Statistics Sierra Leone. At the security gate, I asked to speak to Dr. Osman Sankoh, the Chairman of the Council. The officer, looking a bit puzzled, asked who I was. “Dr. Osman Sankoh,” I replied. He paused and clarified, “I mean, who do you want to see?” “Dr. Osman Sankoh,” I repeated. He then asked again, “And your name?” I answered once more, “Dr. Osman Sankoh—that is my name.” His momentary confusion turned to a smile as the realisation dawned, and I was finally allowed through. It was a lighthearted moment that added a personal touch to the visit.

Travelling across Africa for this consultancy was transformative. Each country revealed its unique challenges and triumphs, but there were also commonalities: urbanisation, the integration of technology, and the need for credible data to inform policy.

As I returned to Germany, I reflected on the journey. The experience had broadened my understanding of how data could shape lives and empower nations. It also reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of addressing disparities to build a stronger, more united Africa.

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Have a wonderful start of the week.

Credit: Mallam O