Prospects for electronic data processing methods in Africa

Abstract

A staff member of the ECA Statistics Division visited ECE headquarters in Geneva and a number of European statistical offices to inquire into the latter's experience in the use of computers and other electronic equipment. This was followed by a case study in an African country, Ghana, which has had long experience in the use of conventional punch card equipment and which, it was felt may have a large enough tabulation programme to justify installation of a small or medium sized electronic computer. The case study was designed to review the various jobs which were being performed on the punch card equipment installed at present and compare the merits and demerits of conventional machines and electronic computers in terms of flexibility, versatility, accuracy, speed and cost of operation. Likely expansion in tabulation work was also to be taken into account. An experienced consultant from the Central Bureau of Statistics in Norway was associated with this study.