Social Context in Development Communication: Reflecting on Gender and Information and Communication Technologies for Development in Ghana

Abstract

This essay, an example of work that builds on Dr. Ascroft’s lessons, reports collaborative research on information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) in Ghana. We highlight two parallel dialogues—on ICT and on gender—that have been advanced globally. New ICTs are prone to the same biases as the older ICTs. Further, the dialogue on ICTs may use the rhetoric of inclusivity; but in practice, women and girls remain at the margins of decision-making and implementation. This research addresses the promise of new ICTs and the need to account for gender roles. We summarize the major events that helped spark global and regional attention to ICT4D, as well as Ghana’s initiatives in relation to these events. We include critiques and initiatives resistant to facets of ICT4D, emphasizing gender critiques.

Examination of Mobile Communication Service Providers in Latvia

“…The looming millennium coincided with technological innovations and initiatives that inspired reflection and dialogue. Many scholars and activists have critiqued ICT4D for repeating the same modernist mistakes of earlier decades, noting further that ICT4D tends to focus on 'have' and 'have not' countries and global regions, neglecting variance within countries and regions (Steeves, Kwami, 2019).…”

“…The United Nations, through its various institutions, actively promotes ICT4D as a tool for economic and social development around the world, particularly in developing countries. It is ideally as a complex process that leads to a better, more socially just world via the engendering of citizen participation and empowerment (Steeves, Kwami, 2019).…”

“…Authors view communication for development, therefore ICT4D, not predominantly as a process of marketing and networking in the global economy, but ideally as a complex process that leads to a better, more socially just world via the engendering of citizen participation and empowerment. Their stance recognizes the importance of considering multiple factors that may affect outcomes, including the ownership and control of the means of communication and networking; the narratives that dominate media and ICT discourse; social movements and local knowledge production; spirituality and religion as communication; and the embodied experience of communication, requiring attention and physical engagement (Steeves, Kwami, 2019).…”

Ghana’s ICT4AD policy: between policy and reality

“…The policy has been running for nearly two decades now. A lot of development has taken place, with some studies also done during the implementation years to influence its implementation (Steeves and Kwami, 2019; Ojo, 2016). Most of these studies were situational and painted the picture of the then-current stage of the policy.…”

“…The paper measures the gap between what was intended and what has been realised and, based on that, estimates the likely outcome of the entire policy or project. Several ICT4D policies on the continent have hardly achieved their intended purposes (Steeves and Kwami, 2019; Ojo, 2016). This notion is an underlying consideration as we assess Ghana’s policy.…”