Benjamin Ofori-Amoah, professor of geography and chair of the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), has been awarded a $3,382 grant from the University Personnel Development Committee (UPDC) to conduct a needs assessment for establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS) program at the Department of Geography and Resource Development at the University of Ghana.

GIS is a set of computer tools utilized for the collection, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of geographic data for information and decision-making purposes and is being utilized in various UWSP departments, including geography and geology as well as natural resources.

According to Ofori-Amoah, assessment results will be used to write and submit a major grant to the World Bank for actual implementation of the program.

"GIS is a vital tool in an effort for sustainable development throughout much of Africa, Asia, and elsewhere," said Ofori-Amoah. "Many parts of Africa, including my former home country of Ghana, are falling further behind in the understanding and utilization of many technological advances, including GIS. I believe UWSP can play a positive role in helping Ghana academics bring long overdue GIS studies to their students. "

According to Ofori-Amoah, such an international collaboration between his home geography department in Ghana with his UWSP colleagues would provide an excellent opportunity for our faculty to gain international experience, while sharing their expertise with Ghanaian faculty and students.

"Ultimately, my grant proposal to the World Bank will focus on establishing a formal GIS program at my alma mater for training traditional students as well as working professionals," said Ofori-Amoah.

Ofori-Amoah joined the faculty in 1991. He received his bachelor�s degree from the University of Ghana, master�s degrees from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana and the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, and his Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

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tmiller/vc/Amoah UPDC grant