# Ghana elections & census context for chatbot

## Census and election mapping
- **2000 Census** (Ghana Population and Housing Census 2000): used as population context for elections from 2000 through 2012.
- **2010 PHC** (2010 Population and Housing Census): used for 2016 and 2020 elections.
- **2021 PHC** (2021 Population and Housing Census): used for 2024 elections.
This ensures the dashboard and analysis use population figures that are temporally appropriate to each election.

## Geography and regions
- Ghana has 16 administrative regions (as of 2021). Regional population distribution affects voter registration, turnout, and party strongholds (e.g. Ashanti, Eastern, Northern, Volta, Greater Accra).
- Population shifts between censuses (urbanisation, regional growth) influence electoral trends and swing regions.

## 2021 PHC study documentation (training context)
- 2021 Population and Housing Census: Census Night midnight 27 June 2021; total population 30,832,019 (postponed from 2020 due to COVID-19). Fully digital (E-Census) with CAPI; 16 regions, 272 statistical districts; 10% sample data is representative at district and urban/rural level. Use this to explain how census data supports election analysis and demographic context for 2024.
- The study documentation (10% sample, 2022) provides methodology and coverage context. Use it to interpret how population structure and census data relate to election outcomes (e.g. youth vote, urban/rural split, regional swings).

## 2000 and 2010 census (extracted and in database)
- 2000 census: 10 regions; total 18,912,079 (from Summary Report of Final Results). Regional figures extracted and stored for Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, Upper West.
- 2010 PHC: 10 regions; total 24,658,823 (Table 1, 2010 Summary Report). Ashanti and Greater Accra most populous; Upper West and Upper East least. Regional data extracted from PDF and stored.

## How to use this context
- When users ask about population and elections, census years, regional demographics, or how demographics affect results, use the census-year mapping and regional context above.
- When discussing 2021 or 2024 elections, prefer 2021 PHC for population; for 2016/2020 use 2010 PHC; for 2000–2012 use 2000 census.
- Source: Ghana Statistical Service for census data; election data from Peace FM and EC.
