Mapping Technology: Stakeholder Perspectives on Ghana Post GPS

Abstract

Ghana is experiencing rapid population expansion, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of proper addresses for both residences and businesses as a result of its poor road network and inadequate city planning. This phenomenon complicates the delivery of effective and timely emergency responses as well as other essential services to both households and businesses across the country. To overcome this issue, the Ghanaian government used unique postcodes for properties issued using a digital address programme called the GhanaPost GPS. This qualitative research examined the perspectives of 200 respondents on the use of the Ghana Post GPS mobile application. The findings reveal that only 20% of the study's sample had the App installed on their smartphones and electronic devices since its release. This is due to a lack of general awareness/effective publicity, as well as the App's limited functionality. The study further indicates that Google currently generates unique postcodes for all buildings/properties in the countries where they operate, including Ghana, hence there was little need for the government of Ghana to create a separate App for the specific purpose of creating postcodes. The study's recommendations focused on how to integrate and enhance the usage of the Ghana Post GPS Application by adding several capabilities like the taxi-hailing option for commercial taxis, in-land parcel tracking, and interstate bus booking and purchasing.