Promoting Accountable Governance Through Electronic Government

Abstract: Electronic government (e-Government) is a purposeful system of organized delegation of power, control, management and resource allocation in a harmonized centralized or decentralized way via networks assuring efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of processes and transactions. This new phenomenon is changing the way of business and service of governments all over the world. The betterment of service to citizens as well as other groups and the efficient management of scarce resources have meant that governments seek alternatives to rendering services and efficient management processes. Analog and mechanical processes of governing and management have proved inefficient and unproductive in recent times. The search for alternative and better ways of governing and control have revealed that digital and electronic ways of governing is the best alternative and beneficial more than the mechanical process of governing. The internet, information and communication technology (ICT/IT) have registered a significant change in governments. There has also been an increased research in the area of electronic government but the field still lacks sound theoretical framework which is necessary for a better understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of electronic government systems, and the integration of various electronic government applications. Also the efficient and effective allocation and distribution of scarce resources has become an issue and there has been a concerted effort globally to improve the use and management of scarce resources in the last decade. The purpose of this research is to gain an in depth and better understanding of how electronic government can be used to provide accountability, security and transparency in government decision making processes in allocation and distribution of resources in the educational sector of Ghana. Research questions have been developed to help achieve the aim. The study has also provided detailed literature review, which helped to answer research questions and guide to data collection. A quantitative and qualitative research method was chosen to collect vital information and better understand the study area issue. Both self administered questionnaire as well as interviews were used to collect data relevant to the study. Also a thorough analysis of related works was conducted. Finally, the research concluded by addressing research questions, discussing results and providing some vital recommendations.  It was also found that electronic government is the best faster, reliable, accountable and transparent means of communication and interaction between governments, public institutions and citizens. Thus electronic government is crucial in transforming the educational sector of Ghana for better management of resources. It has also been noted that information and communication technology (ICT) is the enabling force that helps electronic government to communicate with its citizens, support e-government operation and provide efficiency, effectiveness and better services within the educational sector of Ghana.