E‐governance in Africa's local governments: Do district assemblies in Ghana optimize the use of websites and social media?

Abstract

The case study research design was adopted to evaluate websites and social media portals (Facebook and Twitter) of two municipal assemblies in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data were collected through the researcher's interaction with these portals, interviews and focus group discussions with 36 respondents. It was established that these platforms have provided new channels for information sharing between local authorities and citizens. Again, it was also found that it facilitates interaction with local authorities. Nevertheless, it came out that its full deployment has not been realized. Despite favorable demographic characteristics, citizens in the study areas do not make good use of e-government options to interact with their local government officials. The research explores the challenges and opportunities for the adoption of these e-government initiatives by metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana. Key conclusions and policy implications are drawn from the study.

Digitization of local revenue collection in Ghana: An evaluation of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)

“…The results of the study promote greater awareness of the benefits of using ICTs in reforming revenue collection activities at the local government level in Ghana. The uses of internet‐related technology abound at MMDAs in Ghana even amidst technological and human resource deficits characteristic of the developing countries (Asamoah ). For instance, there is the use of Human Resource Management Information Systems, Web 2.0, and the adoption of electronic services.…”

“…Information Communication Technology (ICT) is affirmed as a potent tool for injecting some effectiveness and efficiency into government business (Mergel & Bretschneider, ). There is a general consensus that greater involvement of ICTs in the administration of states is essential in propelling countries to the realization of development (Asamoah, ; Heeks, ). This has led to the coining of terms like “e‐government” and “e‐governance,” which are essentially explained as the involvement of ICTs in the administration of states (Rossel & Finger, ).…”

Digital platforms for development: Foundations and research agenda

“…The issues linked to access were particularly raised in the literature and explored the reasons behind it. Barriers such as technical constraints, lack of skills, affordability to devices or data and digital literacy were discussed (Asamoah, 2019;Grossman et al, 2018;Nganyanyuka et al, 2017;Sambasivan et al, 2015). As a result, a large number of the studies reviewed concentrated on platforms that relied on relatively basic technologies such as SMS (Ogutu et al, 2014), voice (Moitra et al, 2018) or simple websites (Verkijika & Wet, 2018) to guarantee access among the targeted users.…”

E‐transparency and government budgetary corruption: A social marketing and transformation case from Nigeria

“…Hood (2006) defines transparency as the right and the ability of citizens (and organizations, where relevant) to access government information and information about government. Transparency in government and public is generally held to be desirable, something to be fostered and enabled (Asamoah, 2019). This idea has gained considerable momentum with the emergence of computing and the internet which has facilitated the application of ICTs to government functions and procedures with the purpose of increasing efficiency, transparency and citizen participation (OAS, 2020).…”

“…Transparency has been described as the enemy of corruption (Lindstedt & Naurin, 2006; Uslaner, 2004), and the extant literature shows that the provision of information to citizens and the ability of citizens to monitor the activities of the government play an important role in battling corruption (Bertot et al, 2010; Neupane et al, 2012). This implies that the improved transparency that ICT facilitates should have the effect of reducing corruption as ICT could be a cost‐effective means to promote transparency and reduce corruption (Asamoah, 2019; Bhatnagar, 2000). Likewise, ICT can impact cultural attitudes about perceived transparency and trust (Song & Lee, 2016).…”