E-governance for Sustainable Development in Ghana

Book excerpt: Abstract: Electronic governance and sustainable development have attracted considerable scholarly attention in recent times. However, the relationship between the two concepts has not been sufficiently explored within the academic community in Ghana. This study explores the current state of e-governance and how it is perceived to be related to the concept of sustainable development and its application in Ghana. It brings to the forefront of the topical issue of sustainability and how it can be achieved through systems thinking. The aim of this study was to explore the nexus between e-governance and sustainable development, the contribution of e-governance to sustainable development and the measures to increase the adoption of e-governance in Ghana. This study employed a mixed-method research design to achieve its objectives. Focus group discussions and questionnaires were the principal data collection instruments alongside secondary data. Per the research findings, there is a strong relationship between e-governance and sustainable development. The study further established that the deployment of e-government projects have a direct impact on the three pillars of sustainable development; economic, social, and environment. From the study, e-governance ensures the delivery of services remotely, thereby reducing the economic, social and environmental costs associated with service delivery to the public. It cuts down on the use of resources and empowers consumers to seek and receive services around the clock. This study recommends that e-governance should be a vital tool for sustainable development and that for developing countries to realize the full benefits of e-governance, the two concepts should be pursued in simultaneity.