Reconnecting Theory, Instruments, and Field Practice in Geometric Surveying: A Professional and Pedagogical Perspective from Ghana and Africa

Abstract

Geometric surveying remains the foundational discipline upon which all spatial measurement, land administration, and infrastructure development depend. Despite rapid technological advancements in electronic instruments and satellite-based positioning systems, persistent challenges in accuracy, boundary disputes, and infrastructure misalignment suggest a growing disconnect between theory, instrumentation, and professional practice. Drawing exclusively on the textbook Geometric Surveying: Theory, Instruments, and Field Techniques, this article examines geometric surveying as both a scientific discipline and a professional responsibility. Using Ghana and Africa as contextual reference points, the paper synthesises how surveying principles, measurement theory, instrument application, and ethical judgment interact in real-world practice. The analysis demonstrates that technology alone does not guarantee reliable surveying outcomes; instead, competence emerges from the integration of theoretical understanding, disciplined field procedures, and professional accountability. The article contributes to the international discourse by reaffirming the critical role of geometric surveying as a bridge between spatial science and national development, particularly in rapidly urbanising and legally complex environments.