Ghana, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has been chosen to host the 2013 Africa Geospatial forum in Accra in October this year.

The disclosure was made at the 13th Geospatial World Forum held in Rotterdam in the Netherlands last month, by the organisers of the event -- the South African-based Geospatial Media and Communication Group -- and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini.

The Geospatial International forum brings together industry-giants, users, scientists, world-renowned experts, manufacturers in geo-technology, Government agencies and policy-makers to exchange knowledge, share ideas and best practices in the geospatial world as well as mounting an exhibition of the latest equipment and products in the sector.

Alhaji Fuseini, who was the special guest at the three-day Geospatial World Forum in Rotterdam, told the 1,300 participants from 81 countries across the globe that the world has been dramatically transformed by technology, especially in the last two decades, by the combination of geography, information technology and the spread of the Internet -- and that Ghana is leaving no stone unturned in benefitting from such advancement.

He said the technological dexterity of geospatial data in arriving at informed decisions on mining, agriculture, road construction, physical development and the environment cannot be glossed over.

Alhaji Fuseini noted at the forum that the geospatial industry plays an essential role in enabling Governments and the private sector to perform efficiently by supplying reliable, accurate and relevant information and services when and wherever needed, which leads to improved decision-making and a reduction in administrative costs -- in turn enhancing opportunities for total development.

He said the government is developing the National Spatial Data infrastructure as well as a policy to regulate survey and mapping practice, together with the establishment of a Geodetic Reference Network embedded with Continuously Operating Reference Stations, to enhance survey and mapping, and sustainable land use.

Ghana was represented at the Geospatial World forum by a six-member delegation led by the Minister and others including the Chief Director of the Ministry, Professor Bruce Baneong-Yakubo; Alhaji Ibrahim Baryeh, Director of Lands at the Ministry; Dr. Isaac Bonsu Karikari, National Project Coordinator of the Ghana Land Administration Project; and Mr. K. D. Osei, Director of the Town and Country Planning Department.

The rest were Mr. Samuel Oppong-Antwi, Deputy Director of the Survey and Mapping Division of the Lands Commission, and Mr. Kweku Sersah-Johnson of the Land Administration Project.