Prof. Turkson, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences of TTU, said this as he delivered the Maiden Inaugural Lecture of the University as part of the 70th Anniversary Celebrations of Takoradi Technical University.

Speaking on the theme; “Stat-a-thon: Insights, Interpretations and Implications”, Prof. Turkson interrogated the critical role statistics play in shaping modern policy, business strategies, and scientific advancements, emphasizing the importance of data interpretation in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Decision-making that is grounded in many guess-saying or presumptive conjectures cannot guarantee sustainable growth, therefore charged public policymakers and businesses to embrace data-driven decisions.

“Studies have shown that most organisations and institutions often make decisions without recourse to data. If Ghana, as a nation, had derived its decision-making mechanisms from data, this country would have been much further ahead. If voters voted based on data-driven decision-making, rather than on other factors, Ghana would have by now been rubbing shoulders with other advanced nations. If institutions of higher learning made informed decisions driven by data, life would have been far better than it is now.”, he noted.

While defining data in its real sense, Prof. Turkson further reemphasized the benefits of data to businesses.

“Data-driven decision-making is the act of using facts, metrics, and data to guide strategic decisions that align with one’s goals and objectives. An organisation or institution that realizes the full value of its data is empowered to make better decisions every day. People at every level must engage in conversations based on data. A 2018 study on digital transformation noted that some organizations invested trillions of dollars to modernize their businesses, but 70% of these initiatives failed because they prioritised technology investment in building a data culture to support them,” he said.

Prof. Turkson, while detailing the analysis of a study on mortality trends and their demographic determinants in the Western Region, pointed out the need to understand mortality trends to make informed health policies.

From the study, Prof. Turkson indicated that age is a critical factor in mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, with people over the age of 45 at high risk.

He therefore called for the provision of accurate age data to aid in administering healthcare.

“Accurate age reporting by patients in healthcare settings is crucial for effective diagnosis, treatment, and management of health conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and comorbid conditions. Inconsistencies in self-reported ages may lead to significant challenges in understanding the true epidemiology of these health issues,” he advised.

Prof. Turkson however called for the digitalisation of information from birth to death, advocating for the establishment of a data quality framework that identifies gaps in current data, the need for targeted healthcare strategies focused on age-specific risks, and the need to improve data accuracy to address leading causes of mortality in the Western Region.

The Vice-Chancellor TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, commended Prof. Turkson for his long-term service and exemplary contributions grow of TTU, especially in the field of  statistics, and hoped for more such lectures in the future.

“This is our first inaugural lecture, and the turnout is impressive. I believe more will follow because we have four other professors who are also supposed to deliver their inaugural lectures. Your lecture was thought-provoking, and we thank you for leading in this direction,” he praised.

Evangelist Prof. Anthony Joe Turkson’s career began as a Senior Superintendent in the year 1994 when TTU was a second-cycle institution and has for the past 30 years risen through the ranks and served in many capacities.

He has taught various courses and served as a facilitator at workshops. His research focuses on  statistical data analysis, survival analysis modelling, and others.

Evang. Prof. Turkson has published widely in local, national and international refereed journals. He has also supervised and churned out several students at the HND, BTech, and MTech levels.

Evang. Prof. Turkson received several citations and commendations from his faculty, friends and family after he was conferred with the title and ushered into the College of Professorship.