Development of an Open Access Water and Environment Data Repository in Ghana

Abstract

Access to water and environment data in Ghana either in hardcopy or digital formats is very frustrating and time consuming due to the fact that water resources and environmental management related information and datasets are scattered in various files and documents at different ministries, departments and agencies in Accra. It is now common practice for many students, researchers, local and international consultants to use the lack of data as a convenient excuse when conducting desk studies in this sector. The Ghana Hydro-Database Project has therefore been conceived to overcome this limitation. The initial developmental phase involved the use of open source software applications for database management functions and the processing of raw data. A web interface for the dissemination of information and datasets from the repository to the general public has recently been launched. This paper presents a description of the technical approach used to develop this repository and discusses its potential applications for the water and environment sector in the country.