Let’s go Spatial with Data

A two-day training program was organized by the Surface Water Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Water Research Institute, on Introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data Collection and Basic Map Making. The program was held in the Staff Conference Room of the Institute on May 17 and 18 2021.

Speaking at the opening of the training, the Head of Division, Dr. Emmanuel Obuobie, mentioned that, “as scientists there are some things that are considered basic and important to research activities in every division, especially when it comes to spatial data collection. That is, any data that is collected from different locations of the country, within a river basin, district or a region. One of the instruments used in recording the locations where data is collected is the GPS. It comes in a handy and portable form but yet is a very powerful tool in achieving a desired spatial representation of data collected. The GPS is not only for plotting coordinates, it also helps to access researched location easily hence saving time and money. On this basis, it was considered essential to organize the training in order to enhance the work done in the various divisions.”

“It comes in a handy and portable form but yet is a very powerful tool” – Dr Obuobie

Mr. Franz-Alex Gaisie Essilfie, the resource person for the training is a GIS and Remote Sensing specialist and has extensive knowledge on the applications of GPS. “This training is necessary to keep scientists, technologists and technicians abreast on how to collect good GPS location data which they can attach to their data from the field to show exactly where data was collected for the repeatability of the research. The GPS is used to get good data that can be recorded on maps for easier references in the future. It is his hope that in future this training can be extended to other professionals in the research industry as it will be beneficial to attach location data to research activities, he stated.

“the training was extremely beneficial as it will help her with the collection of data and production of maps of her research study area” – Intern

In an interview with a few participants, an intern from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) said “the training was extremely beneficial as it will help her with the collection of data and production of maps of her research study area.” Another participant, a Principal Technologist of the Institute shared that the usage of GPS is necessary in spatial data collection. “It is very beneficial and not limited to a particular research area, I will recommend it to everyone ” he stated.

 
Exhibition of various GPS receiver equipment                                              Participants recording GPS coordinates

 
Participants plotting GPS coordinates                                                    Resource person assisting one of the participants 

                                                                      Interview with resource person 

                                                                                    Training In Session