Introduction On February 7, 2026, HTU YouthMappers, in partnership with the Ho Central Division of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), conducted a Fire Hydrant Mapping Exercise in the Ho Municipality, organized by Calvin Amevienku, YouthMappers Volunteer Regional Ambassador to Ghana. This initiative aimed to identify, verify, and digitally map 19 fire hydrants to support emergency response operations, improve fire safety planning, and strengthen community resilience. It a

Introduction Leadership often begins with a question: How can we use what we know to serve the communities around us, and how can we change the community with what we have? When I assumed office as President of the KNUST YouthMappers Chapter (2024–2025), I carried a strong passion for community engagement, environmental sanitation, and climate action. As a geospatial community enthusiast, I believed our work and activities should go beyond mapping and translate into visible i

Acknowledgment: This post was delayed in publication and may contain outdated information. We appreciate your understanding. In January 2023, I began my journey as a freshman studying Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. As a "tabula rasa" student, I arrived on campus eager to explore new opportunities. During my first lecture, various student groups introduced themselves, promoting different academic societies. One group, however, stood o

My journey with YouthMappers began in 2022, fueled by enthusiasm but hampered by technological constraints. My initial laptop barely functioned, and when it finally gave out, my phone followed suit. However, these setbacks did not deter my commitment. I borrowed laptops from friends, participated in online training sessions, and gradually honed my skills, particularly in JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor). As the Media and Publicity Director for my chapter, I channeled my crea

YouthMappers not only equipped me with technical skills but also instilled in me confidence, leadership, and the ability to make tangible, positive changes in the world. To any student thinking about joining YouthMappers, my advice is simple: take the leap. You never know how far you can go until you start mapping your own journey.