Geographic information systems : indispensable ingredient for good governance in Ghana
Kuntu-Mensah, Peter
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has defined Governance as the exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority in the management of a countryys affairs. Good governance is the implementation of government policies and practices thereof in the most efficient and effective way to the benefit of the public. Good governance is the bedrock of sustainable development of a society based on sound domestic policies; it is characterized by sustainable economy, efficient government, effective civil society, successful private sector, democratic and participatory involvement of the citizenry, effectual mobilization of resources, balancing equity, and adherence to the rule of law. Underlying these characteristics are elements of transparency, and accountability spurred by free flow of information enabled by appropriate information technologies. Because the main business of government - to make decisions in the public interest - involves geographically related issues, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide incomparable power that can play critical roles in all dimensions of good governance. This paper discusses how GIS can be employed to enhance and improve governance in Ghana.
Event: 5th FIG Regional Conference for Africa : Promoting Land Administration and Good Governance
Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.