Data Analytics BI Ghana
Data Analytics BI Ghana
ANALYTICS &
BUSINESS
INTELLIGENCE:
Driving Decisions in the Modern
Ghanaian Enterprise
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Upon completion, you will be able to:
○ Define key data management concepts (databases, DW, ETL).
○ Compare Relational and NoSQL databases.
○ Explain the purpose and core functions of BI tools (Power BI, Tableau).
○ Differentiate between Descriptive and Predictive Analytics and their
techniques.
○ Identify best practices for data visualization and dashboard design.
○ Explain the link between data analysis and effective decision-making.
○ Recognize the application and challenges of DA & BI in the Ghanaian
context.
FOUNDATIONS OF DATA
MANAGEMENT
MODULE 1
WHY DATA MANAGEMENT MATTERS
Key Concepts
● Database: An organized collection of structured information, or data,
typically stored electronically.
● Database Management System (DBMS): Software used to create,
manage, and query databases.
● Two Main Database Types: SQL(or Relational) and NoSQL
Databases.
1. Relational Databases (SQL)
MODULE 2
WHAT IS BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE (BI)?
MODULE 3
WHAT IS DATA ANALYTICS?
● Definition: The science (and art) of examining raw data with
the purpose of drawing conclusions about that information.
● Goal: To discover meaningful patterns, trends, and insights to
inform decisions.
● Scope: Broader than traditional BI, often employing statistical
methods and machine learning. It's the engine that powers
BI insights.
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYTICS: WHAT HAPPENED?
● Definition: Summarizing historical data to understand past events and
performance. The foundation of data analysis.
● Common Techniques:
○ Frequency: Count, Percentage (e.g., % of customers in Accra).
○ Central Tendency: Mean (Average), Median (Middle Value), Mode (Most
Frequent Value).
○ Dispersion/Variation: Range (Max-Min), Variance, Standard Deviation
(Spread around the mean).
● Use Cases: Standard Business Reports (Sales, Marketing, Operations), Website
Traffic Analysis, Social Media Engagement Reports.
● Example: A Ghanaian telco calculating Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for
the last quarter.
PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS: WHAT COULD HAPPEN?
● Definition: Using historical data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning
techniques to identify the likelihood of future outcomes.
● Purpose: To forecast future trends, behaviors, or events.
● Basic Concepts (Conceptual Introduction):
○ Regression: Predicting a continuous value (e.g., forecasting sales volume based on
marketing spend).
○ Classification: Predicting a category (e.g., identifying customers likely to churn:
Yes/No).
○ Clustering: Grouping similar items together without predefined labels (e.g.,
Key Question What were the sales last What will sales be next quarter?
quarter? How many users Which users are likely to churn?
churned?
Techniques Aggregations (Sum, Avg), Regression, Classification,
Frequencies, Basic Stats (Mean, Clustering, Machine Learning
Median, Std Dev), Reporting. Algorithms, Forecasting.
DESCRIPTIVE VS. PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS SUMMARY
MODULE 4
THE POWER OF VISUALIZATION
● Why Visualize?
○ Our brains process visuals much faster than text or tables.
○ Helps quickly identify trends, patterns, outliers, and
relationships.
○ Makes complex data accessible and understandable.
● Example: Anscombe's Quartet (Show the four datasets
visually – same stats, different plots). Data needs to be seen!
COMMON CHART TYPES & USAGE
● Bar Chart: Comparing values across categories.
● Line Chart: Showing trends over continuous time or sequence.
● Pie Chart: Showing proportions of a whole (Use with caution! Best for
<5 categories).
● Scatter Plot: Showing the relationship between two numerical
variables.
● Histogram: Showing the distribution (frequency) of a single numerical
variable.
● Map: Showing geographic patterns or variations.
COMMON CHART TYPES & USAGE
Chart Type Description Best Used For Example Application (Ghanaian
Context)
Bar Chart Uses rectangular bars (vertical or Comparing quantities Comparing market share of MTN
horizontal) to compare values across across different groups. MoMo, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo
discrete categories. Money; Sales per region.
Line Chart Connects data points with lines to Showing trends over time Tracking the monthly Cedi/Dollar
show trends or changes over a or sequence. exchange rate; Growth of internet
continuous interval (usually time). subscribers over years.
Pie Chart Circle divided into slices representing Showing proportions of a Breakdown of electricity
parts of a whole (percentages). whole (use cautiously, best generation sources (Hydro,
for <5 categories). Thermal, Solar); Budget allocation.
COMMON CHART TYPES & USAGE
Chart Type Description Best Used For Example Application (Ghanaian
Context)
Scatter Plot Uses dots to represent values for Showing the relationship Plotting rainfall amount vs. maize
two different numeric variables. or correlation between yield; Customer age vs. average
Position indicates values on two numeric variables. spend.
horizontal/vertical axes.
Histogram Uses bars to show the frequency Understanding the Distribution of ages of mobile banking
distribution of a single numeric distribution of a single users; Distribution of exam scores.
variable. Data is grouped into variable.
continuous bins.
Map Displays data geographically. Uses Showing spatial patterns, Mapping regional internet
color, size, or symbols to represent concentrations, and penetration rates; Distribution of
values across regions or locations. regional variations. health facilities; Cocoa production by
DASHBOARD DESIGN PRINCIPLES
● Dashboard: A visual display of the most important information needed to achieve one or
more objectives; consolidated and arranged on a single screen so the information can be
monitored at a glance. (Stephen Few)
● Best Practices:
○ Audience & Purpose: Design for specific users and the decisions they need to make.
○ Right Visuals: Choose appropriate charts for the data and message.
○ Simplicity & Clarity: Avoid clutter ("Less is More"). Use whitespace effectively. Limit colors
and fonts.
○ Context: Provide clear titles, labels, units, and comparison points.
○ Highlight Key Info: Use size, position (top-left is prime), and color strategically.
MODULE 5
CONNECTING DATA TO DECISIONS
● The Goal: Move from raw data to information, then to
insights, and finally to informed actions/decisions.
● Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM): The practice of basing
decisions on the analysis of data rather than purely on
intuition or experience.
● DDDM vs. Intuition: Data provides evidence to support or
challenge intuition, leading to more objective and often
better outcomes.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS)
● Definition: Computer-based systems that help decision-makers
confront ill-structured problems through direct interaction with
data and analysis models. (Sprague & Carlson)
● Role: Provide the right information to the right person at the right
time to aid specific decisions.
● Modern BI Platforms: Often serve as the front-end or core
component of modern data-driven DSS.
● Types (Briefly): Model-driven (simulations, optimization), Data-
driven (OLAP, data mining), Knowledge-driven (expert systems).
BENEFITS & CHALLENGES OF DDDM IN GHANA
● Potential Benefits:
○ Improved Operational Efficiency (e.g., optimizing delivery routes).
○ Data Privacy & Security Concerns (Compliance with Data Protection Act, 2012).
DATA ANALYTICS & BI IN ACTION:
GHANAIAN CASE STUDIES
MODULE 6
CASE STUDY 1: MOBILE MONEY & FINANCIAL
INCLUSION
MODULE 7
DATA ETHICS & RESPONSIBILITY
● Key Issues:
○ Privacy: Responsible collection, use, storage of personal data.
Compliance with Ghana's Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).
Importance of consent, anonymization/pseudonymization.
○ Bias: Algorithms can learn and perpetuate existing societal biases (e.g.,
in loan applications, hiring). Need for fairness checks and mitigation
strategies.
○ Transparency: Explainability of analytical models ("Black Box" problem).
Ensuring decisions can be understood and challenged.
○ Security: Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, breaches,
and misuse.
● Core Principle: Ethical considerations must be integrated throughout the
entire data lifecycle, from collection to deployment.
CONCLUSION & KEY TAKEAWAYS
● Data is a strategic asset, but requires effective Management.
● BI Tools (Power BI, Tableau) provide access to insights through reports and
dashboards.
● Analytics Techniques (Descriptive, Predictive) uncover patterns and forecast trends.
● Visualization makes data understandable; good Dashboard Design makes it
actionable.
● The ultimate goal is Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM).
● DA & BI offer significant opportunities but face specific Challenges in Ghana.
● Ethical Responsibility is paramount.
● Takeaway: These skills are increasingly essential for professional success in Ghana
and globally.