The Government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is to use $2.5 million dollars for Digital Property Addressing System in Ghana. The system, also known as “Jack where are you” was launched by President Akuffo Addo amidst claims by the largest opposition party in the country, National Democratic Congress (NDC), that the data being used for the app had long existed.
President Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo, who spoke at the launch stated that, “with the new system, the location of the blue kiosk, koko seller and wakye seller will have an address.”
The president indicated that, the system is going to help generate a unique code for every property or location in Ghana, with the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
Ghana for the past years has suffered efficiency for location, especially when you find yourself in an area where you happen to be new and do not know your way around, or for instance when there is a fire outbreak, the Fire Service finds it difficult to find their way to the place at danger.
The Ministry of Communication in collaboration with Ghana Post have launched Digital Addressing System which was invented by Ghanaian based technology firm known as Vocakom.
It is a modern approach of locating addresses within a specific area that will yield comfort and convenience, therefore making tracking people and places simple.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Vocakom, Mr. Nana Osie Afrifa, 16.1 billion locations in Ghana are to be captured by the Digital Addressing System, which is going to enhance socio-economic development in the country.
He added that, “when you register your address, your data is your data, that means your registered address can only be used by you.”
The Ghana Post GPS application will assist in the collection of revenue for local utility companies in the country and to help transform the economy because of its numerous benefits.
The NDC however, claims that the system is aimed at deceiving to Ghanaians since government had just rebranded the old google map apps. The system is therefore a waste of money.
The MP for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga has stated that all was set for them when they were in government, to install the system since Subah was already working on it and all they needed was the collaboration of town and country planning offices across the country.
The current system when made available, will make it easier to find locations across the country and facilitate the work of Emergency services like the police service, fire service, and ambulance service amongst others in the country.
Ghana Post GPS application can be downloaded free from google play store for android users and apple store for iOS users, www.ghanapostgps.com.
By: Diana Nartey
