Tropical Technology

Estelle Akofio-Sowah the Country Lead for Google in Ghana was very excited when the Google Maps for Ghana was launched. Finally the Silicon Valley giant  has launched its Maps for Ghana. Detailed maps of Accra and Kumasi, can be now be accessed on Google Maps. I am guessing most software developer who have been waiting for this announcement can now breather a sigh of relief. With Google Maps, Ghanaians can now make searches for up to date online maps, look up local businesses as well as create their own maps.

Estelle believes with Google Maps more accurate, representative local information can greatly improve the breadth of information available about a given area and in turn can help efforts to bolster tourism and business investment. Ironically this announcement comes a few days after Accra was named second worst place to live in the entire world by  Lonely Planet. The launch of Google Maps in Accra and Kumasi could possibly help salvage the situation. Now 31 other African countries aside Ghana can boast of Google Maps.

To make updates to the Maps on Google, anyone with Internet access can update using the Google Map Maker tool. This is a tool which allows users to locate, draw, label and provide attributes for local map features, such as roads, parks, or rivers, turning local users into “citizen cartographers. Businesses (including those without websites) in Ghana can hang on this tool to advertize the location of their businesses on the Map.

The interesting thing about Google Maps is that it is also accessible via mobile and can be downloaded for free form http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets.Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

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