Global navigation satellite system (GNSS): a utility for sustainable development in Ghana

The rapid spread of modern information and communication technologies (ICT) is dependent on the unprecedented increase in information relating to our natural, economic and social environment, and for Ghana and Africa to be in tune with the current trends in ICT, spatial information and methods to acquire them should be our priority. GNSS is therefore the obvious choice. This technology has an enormous potential to contribute to the management of environment, natural disasters, provide food security, emergency response, improve the efficiency in surveying and mapping. Land, water and air navigation will undergo a dramatic improvement with the application of GNSS. This is just to mention a few of the expected benefits. This paper focuses on the benefits to be derived by Ghana as a developing country and Africa in general from the introduction of a functional Multipurpose Global Navigation Satellite System. It specifically highlights the needed basic infrastructure for setting up a Continuously Operating reference System and the need for acquiring the necessary infrastructure to utilize the European Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), EGNOS. Areas of probable application and benefits have been outlined and the necessary considerations for a successful implementation and its sustenance have been suggested. It looks at how this space technology can support our sustainable development as developing nations.Journal of Science and Technology (Ghana) Vol. 27 (2) 2007: pp. 130-13