Stakeholders Workshop on 3-Dimensional Mapping held at Bolgatanga

29-05-2011
Narration: A Regional Stakeholder’s Workshop aimed at ensuring food security and empowerment of the disadvantaged has taken place in the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga. The workshop dubbed: ‘Participatory 3-Dimensional Mapping is expected to serve as an effective tool for active participation and effective collaboration among development agencies and beneficiary communities in the country, particularly the three regions of the north to achieving the desired results. Relevant stakeholders including Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) as well as representatives from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) among other reputable NGOs, attended the one day function. Isaac Asare was at the meeting and has filed this report for Radio Ghana.

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Report
The 3-Dimensional Mapping Model is an innovative technology practiced in most Asian countries. it is used as a powerful communication tool that captures the vast complex landscape resources into an incredible, concise and solid terrain model, understandable to the learned and unlearned. The model, thus serves as an effective communication tool that enables government and communities identify their positions in the country’s landscape for the purpose of resource management. The model which is also aimed at addressing issues of climate change, food security, disaster management, people’s empowerment and intellectual property rights, had proven to support agriculture and collaborative planning and research among others. With the concept of this innovative model, communities particularly, the disadvantaged, would be empowered to be able to take control of their own lives as it gives a fair understanding as to how best resources and the environment could be managed sustainably. Moreover, its integration with weather forecasting and social crop calendar concept developed by MOFA will therefore be a powerful tool to ensure food security and relatively, empower the underprivileged in the region. The Participatory 3-Dimensional Modeling workshop was therefore organized for relevant stakeholders with the view to fostering active participation and effective collaboration among development agencies and beneficiary communities in the region to help achieve the desired goals. A resource person from the VSO, Ernest Dwamena, in a brief presentation challenged stakeholders to take advantage of the new model to improve upon their livelihood. He said with the aid of the model, high collaboration of institutions could be enhanced whilst the majority will have a fair idea about the weather terrain, soil texture and characteristics and as well know the expected amount of rainfall to receive in a year. Community members will also be able to identify whether they are living in disaster or flood prone areas. The model, he further noted, will help empower communities to collaborate and coordinate activities with external organizations that enter their territories to ensure total development. The Regional Director of MOFA, Mr. Emmanuel Eledi expressed the hope that the new dimension will assist in lessening the perennial flooding situation experienced in Northern Ghana and subsequently enhance food security in the country. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo for his part said the innovative technology will impact on the lives of the disadvantaged only if all stakeholders adapt to its use consistently. He therefore appealed to the implementing agencies to work towards its sustainability. Mr. Woyongo also charged the various MDCEs to prioritize the construction of 3D maps and use it as a tool for encouraging participation in the development process. Stakeholders in the course of the workshop were introduced to the 3-Dimensional Model Map designed to represent the country’s entire landscape.
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