A GNA feature by Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Nov.24, GNA – When most people hear the phrase “geospatial data,” they imagine maps or satellite images floating in space. But in truth, it is far more than that.
Geospatial data is the invisible thread weaving together people, places, and policies. It is the compass guiding Africa towards its grand vision — Agenda 2063 — and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
Geospatial Intelligence is not just about technology; it’s about empowerment and giving farmers the knowledge to plant wisely, while nurses have the foresight to save lives, with governments having the clarity to plan cities that thrive.
What Exactly Is Geospatial Data?
Think of geospatial data as information that always answers the question: “Where?” Harnessing geospatial data is not just about maps and satellites-it is about empowering people from the farmer in Tamale to the nurse in Cape Coast, from the taxi driver in Accra to the policymaker in Addis Ababa. Geospatial intelligence can make life simpler, fairer, and more sustainable.
Dr Samuel Larbi Darko, President of the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana (LiSAG) says harnessing geospatial technology is critical to harmonise national and continental efforts through innovation to shape sustainable development agenda.
Relevance of Geospatial Maps
Agriculture geospatial maps reveal which soils are fertile and where rainfall is abundant. Moreover, satellite images assist in exposing shrinking forests or expanding cities. GPS signals guide taxis through bustling streets. Geospatial maps aid in tracing the spread of malaria or cholera across communities. It is not just about counting schools or hospitals. It is about knowing where they are, who can reach them, and who is left behind.
Why Geospatial Data Matters for Africa’s Agenda 2063
Africa’s Agenda 2063 is a bold dream of inclusive growth. It is a comprehensive blueprint for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse by 2063.
Overall, Agenda 2063 aims to create a prosperous, peaceful, and integrated Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
Everyday Voices, Everyday Impact
At the AfricaGIS 2025 and United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) XI Joint Conference in Accra, from November 17-21, 2025, being held on the theme: “Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence for Africa’s Sustainable and Resilient Future” with the sub-theme “Geospatial Foundation for Africa’s Development, Innovation and Resilience,” brought together policymakers, government agencies, academia, private sector innovators, and development partners to share new ideas, network and forge partnerships towards advancing geospatial data utilisation to improve Livelihoods and service delivery.
The message rang clear: geospatial intelligence must serve ordinary citizens. For example, Ama Mansa, a farmer from Tamale says: “If I know which parts of my land have the best soil and rainfall, I can plant crops wisely. Geospatial data can save me money and increase my harvest.” Kwame Sackey, a taxi driver in Accra: notes: “With better maps and traffic data, I spend less time stuck in traffic. It means more trips, more income, and less fuel wasted.”
Efua Esaaba, a nurse in Cape Coast, says: “Health maps showing malaria hotspots help us plan outreach. We can send medicine and education to the right places before people fall sick.”
Ghana’s Call to Action
Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, urges Africa to embrace sustainable financing models through public-private partnerships. Ghana, he announced, is building a national geospatial information infrastructure to share data across ministries — a move that promises transparency, efficiency, and smarter governance.
Regional and Global Voices
Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, who represented Secretary General of the Economic Commission for Africa, says base maps are the bedrock of resource management and believes that geospatial data must spearhead poverty reduction efforts.
Dr. Diane Dumashie, President of International Federation of Surveyors, notes that geospatial intelligence can revolutionise governance and land administration across Africa. She notes that geospatial information is crucial in tackling global challenges such as climate change crises.
According to her, UN assessment of the 17 SDGs conducted in 2025 indicates that only 35 per cent of the SDG targets are on track in achieving the 2030 targets.
Professor Anthony Owusu-Ansah, the Executive Secretary, Lands Commission, says Ghana is modernizing land administration with a national spatial data infrastructure and enterprise land information system, aligned with the UN Integrated Geospatial Information Framework (UN-IGIF).
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) two, three, 11 and 13 ambitions and targets.
SDG2: Zero Hunger aims to end hunger, achieve food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people. It also intends to end all forms of malnutrition, including stunting and wasting in children under 5 years, double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. It is expected that by 2030, the prevalence of undernourishment, severe food insecurity, and stunting among children under five years
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being aim to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.
The targets are to reduce maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years, combat communicable diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria towards achieving universal health coverage, including access to essential medicines and vaccines.
SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
The targets are to ensure access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces, reduce adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management, strengthen efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage.
It is expected that the proportion of urban population living in slums, access to public transportation, and built-up area per person by 2030 targets.
SDG13: Climate Action aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The targets are to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters, integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning, as well as build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change.
These SDGs targets can be realised if countries and governments across the world leverage geospatial information and technology geared towards meeting the targets. Therefore, geospatial data is the foundation to fight climate change, track deforestation, floods, and droughts. Geospatial Information can boost food security and map fertile lands for irrigation systems. It aids in strengthening governance by monitoring land ownership, urban growth, and service delivery. It is crucial in reducing poverty, identifying underserved communities, and targeting social interventions to alleviate poverty.
In that regard, geospatial intelligence is crucial in supporting state institutions like the National Disaster Management Organisation(NADMO) to respond swiftly to disasters by using satellite imagery to guide relief efforts during flooding.
Building Africa’s Geospatial Future
The Accra conference emphasises the urgent need for Africa to close geospatial data gaps with infrastructure and training.It has become significant to empower youth and private innovators to lead the charge, secure sustainable financing through partnerships and fostering collaboration and peer learning across nations to address global challenges.
Prof. Owusu-Ansah captured the spirit:
“In today’s data-driven world, geospatial information is about connecting people, places, and policy. It integrates land, environment, infrastructure, and socio-economic data to inform decision-making.”
It is expected that if Africa builds resilient geospatial ecosystems, strengthens partnerships, and ensures inclusive access, it will accelerate progress toward Agenda 2063 and the SDGs by 2030 turning data into development, and maps into meaningful change.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba