1. Omar Seidu Ghana Statistical Service
GEO-XIV Plenary Side Event: Earth Observation in Service of the Sustainable Development Goals October 24, 8:30am-12:30pm Ronald Regan and International Trade Centre, DC Hemisphere A
Omar Seidu
Ghana Statistical Service

2. Potential for EO in Ghana
Use of EO data in Ghana is limited
The Earth Observation Research and Innovation Centre (EORIC) at the University of Energy and Natural Resources
Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) project, initiated in 2010 to help manage fisheries resources effectively, among other objectives
Project based at University of Ghana
In July 2017 GhanaSat-1, which was developed by students at All Nations University in Koforidua, was sent into orbit from the International Space Station

3. Destruction posed by galamsey
A galamsey is a local Ghanaian term which means illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana

4. Destruction posed by galamsey - Actions
Acquisition of drones costing almost $ 3 million to monitor galamsey
Ghanaian small scale miners whose works have been affected due to government’s war on galamsey, will be allowed back to areas earmarked for exploration, but in a more regulated manner
Plan to fix tracking device on earth moving equipment in the country
Estimated 40-60% of earth moving equipment brought into Ghana for construction purposes, are not on the roads
They are in the deep forest excavating into our water bodies.
Plan to place tracking devices on them to track and identify people behind
WB in 2006 estimated the Cost of Environmental Degradation (CoED) & Natural Resource Depletion in Ghana at 10 % of GDP
Current estimation of the CoED for underway relying heavily on administrative data from key government agencies

5. Monitoring SDG 15 – opportunity for EO
Data for monitoring: 2 out of 14 SDGI will feature in Ghana’s baseline report- excludes &
MLNR, METSI and other stakeholders meeting to discuss data gaps
Interlinkages of SDG 15, especially to poverty eradication presents an opportunity for investment in monitoring
Ending galamsey is currently a priority for government along with other flagship projects – planting for food and jobs
EO data may present the best options for projecting future of both projects
The Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP) of government estimated to cost about $150 million

6. Conclusion and Way Forward
Use of EO data is still in its infancy in Ghana
Destruction of forest and water bodies by galamsey operators
Current government passionate to stop and reverse the trend
Progress to achieve SDG 15 in Ghana requires sustained government and public interest and action
Quick wins lies within use of EO data
If GEO could present data story of past, present and future (projections)
NSO currently exploring use of EO to fill data gaps
Building and sustaining political support for the data agenda in Ghana - understanding of when and how political support is needed to help address technical challenges
Ghana may present a great opportunity to garner political support for EO data in SSA