State and Non-State Actors in Ghana

In this section, you will continue with the discussions on state-society relations in Year One. It looks at the expanded role of the mass media in a democratic state. You will discuss the importance of the media in the form of news, features and analysis in Ghana since the return to constitutional rule. You will look at the practical aspects of political party systems with Ghana serving as a case study. The section sums up Ghana’s electoral management body, the Electoral Commission, its composition, and its importance to Ghana’s democracy.

By the end of the section, as a learner, you will acquire the values of patriotism, teamwork and responsibility in addition to 21st-century innovation, leadership and communication skills.

Key Ideas

• The media is important in a democracy as it promotes transparency through investigative reporting and provides access to information to hold leaders accountable.

• There are different types of party systems in the world, and the 1992 Constitution of Ghana makes provision for the existence of multi-party systems.

• The Electoral Commission is an independent body that has the primary responsibility of conducting free and fair elections in Ghana.

The media plays an important role in modern democratic states. It is sometimes referred to as the “Fourth Estate’ (following the traditional European view that the first three estates of the realm were clergy, nobility, and commoners) The media is an important pillar of democracy as it can serve as the ‘guardian angel’ of liberties that are possessed by citizens and play a central role in sustaining and developing democracy. However, media ownership has a direct impact on the content and practice of journalism. The ownership takes various forms such as state ownership, family/individual ownership, and party ownership, among others.

The Roles of Media in the Democratic State

₁. Monitoring the activities of government, political parties and other state institutions.

2. Promoting transparency through investigative reporting and providing access to information needed to hold leaders and institutions accountable.

3. Serving as a platform for debate and discussion of national issues which allows for diverse opinions. In other words, the media plays an important role in setting agendas, particularly with the advent of digital technologies. Public debate about politics and government policies takes place extensively on radio and TV stations.

4. Citizens rely on the mass media for political news and comprehensive coverage of elections. The media plays a significant role in upholding democratic values and freedom of expression, thereby contributing to a healthy democracy.

5. It influences public opinion on issues of national importance.

The Mass Media in Ghana

The media in Ghana consists of several different means of communication. There are over 950 media outlets made up of print, broadcast and digital/online. In terms of ownership, they are made up of state-owned media outlets, community radio stations and commercial (private) stations.

1. Print Media: Thee widely circulated newspapers in Ghana are the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, and Daily Guide. Other newspapers in Ghana are the Chronicle, Fourth Estate and the Business and Financial Times. The print media also includes magazines, journals, and brochures.

2. Broadcast Media: Notable radio stations are the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Joy FM, Adom FM, and Community Radio stations such as Radio Ada, Radio Builsa, and Radio Dayi. Television stations include the GTV, TV3, and Metro TV.

3. Digital Media: Online news portals include Ghanaweb, Myjoyonline, modern Ghana and Social Media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram).

Activity 4.1 The Media

1. In a one-page essay, write three ethical principles of the media and what you think constitutes censorship, drawing from the discussions and activities in Year One. Share findings with friends.

2. In a group of friends (not more than five), debate how the media make an essential contribution to Ghana’s democracy. As a group, select one person to speak or present the statement and invite comments from your classmates. As an effective aid for analysis, you can use the media websites or social media channels.

Party System

A party system refers to the organisation and interaction of political parties within a country’s democratic framework. In other words, the party system refers to the complex network of relationships between political parties within the state. This relationship normally happens in competitive systems associated with liberal democratic governments. There are three types of party systems namely, one-party system, two- party system and multi-party system.

One-Party Systems

A one-party system is where a single party regularly wins almost every election, with other parties banned or not allowed to function freely. The two types of one-party systems are the de jure and the de facto. A de jure one-party system is where only one political party is allowed to rule by law. The government in power (one-party state) does not permit the existence and competition of other political parties. A de facto is where only one political party dominates, although there are other political parties in existence. This may happen, for example, after national liberation, where the party that led the liberation struggle is overwhelmingly popular, e.g. the ANC in South Africa.

This is probably better referred to as one-party rule, rather than a system, as the system is multi-party. Clear-cut examples of states practising one-party systems are North Korea, China, Cuba, and Vietnam.

Features of a One-Party System

a. single belief (ideology) for running the state

b. restrictions on people’s and citizens’ rights and freedoms

c. Media censorship and the abolition of freedom of expression

d. Other political parties are not allowed to operate or be recognised

e. Economic planning and decisions made by the ruling party

f. Private enterprises and businesses are heavily regulated

g. The judiciary and courts are aligned with party interests

h. The legislature exists as a rubber stamp of the government’s decisions

Table 4.1: Advantages and disadvantages of one-party systems Advantages Disadvantages Quick decision-making Promote dictatorship/tyranny.

Stability and continuity in administration Absence of checks and balances Economical to operate Breeding ground for corruption Promote national unity May lead to conflict.

Enhance long-term planning and investment Investment policy decisions may be inflexible

Activity 4.2 One-Party System

1. Write a reflection about ONE of the following questions and share it with a friend for feedback.

• What is the meaning of a political party and its main purpose?

• What are the types of political parties?

• What is the organisational structure of political parties in Ghana?

Watch/listen to the video https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=WWdOlA3DyAg (6 minutes, 57 seconds).

It features an Arise TV news clip on Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC)

activities in Nigeria.

2. Based on the video, describe in three sentences how the emergence of a one- party system can be prevented. Share your presentation on a screen or digital gallery.

3. In a small group of three, discuss the words that you think describe the values and principles of a one-party system. Prepare a poster presentation and hang it around the classroom. As a class, discuss how the one-party system impacts democratic governance.

Two-Party Systems

A two-party system refers to a system where only two political parties are dominant in a state, with the other political parties having only minor strength. It can also be referred to as a system where two major political parties have an equal chance of winning elections and forming the government. The losing party remains in the opposition.

Under this system, smaller political parties do exist and are often referred to as the “Third Parties”. However, these smaller parties might win a few seats in the legislature and might even grow in strength and become part of a coalition government. Examples of countries practising a two-party system are the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Two-party systems are rarely, if ever, de jure. They are legally multi-party systems in which two parties happen to dominate. A key factor here is the electoral system. Proportional representation leads to smaller parties winning more seats than they would in a ‘first past the post’ system, thus leading to the emergence of a multi- party system.

The Features of Two-Party Systems

1. Clear ideological differences

2. Competition between parties for power

3. Strong party identification and loyalty

4. The media highlight the interest of the two parties

Table 4.2: Advantages and Disadvantages of Two-Party Systems

Advantages Disadvantages

Offer electorates a choice of policies and leaders Limit the relative choice of electorates Promote governmental stability Lack of continuity in government policies It is relatively democratic Sometimes promotes polarisation and partisan politics The existence of a strong opposition party Marginalisation of minority interests Multi-Party System A multi-party system is one in which several political parties exist and compete for elections, with the result that no single party alone can secure an absolute majority.

In a multi-party system, the largest party wins control through national elections and generally forms a coalition with one or more other parties to form a government. Italy, Israel, and India are major examples.

Features of a Multi-Party System

1. The existence of several parties and ideological differences

2. Periodic and inclusive elections

3. Influence of civil society organisations in policymaking

4. Often based on the proportional representation electoral system

5. Coalition governments are common

Table 4.3: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Multi-Party System Advantages Disadvantages A variety of alternative governments are offered to the electorate. Complexity and delay in decision-making.

A wide range of policies are made available to the electorate to make informed decisions. It is quite expensive to operate.

It is more democratic. This may lead to unhealthy political rivalry.

Activity 4.3 Two-party and multi-party systems Dear learner, follow the links and watch or listen to the audio-descriptive videos of party systems in the United States and Israel.

VOA News: Why the US has a two-party system (2 minutes: 39 seconds): https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcHvww8ZUS8 CNN explanation of Israel elections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm_ Az2jPdvg.

Now do the following activities.

1. Record your observations and use them to explain what constitutes two- party and multi-party systems. Submit for other colleagues to provide feedback.

2. Form a small group with 3 other friends and research the two-party system of the United States and the multi-party system of Israel. Look at how their laws make provision for the existence of the party systems. Why is America dominated by two parties? And why does Israel have a competitive multi- party arrangement? Explain what an advantage might be an each of the party systems. What might be a disadvantage? Choose a spokesperson from your group to share the findings with the class.

3. Do some googling on multi-party systems in different countries and write at least a one-page essay on how a multi-party system can enhance democratic governance. Submit to your teacher for marking.

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana make provisions for the existence of multi-party systems. However, since the return to constitutional rule in 1993, two main, broad- based parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have won all the general elections conducted. In other words, for the past thirty years, Ghana has experienced an associated “de facto” two-party system, where the two major parties have a reasonable expectation of sometimes ruling. Other recognised political parties in Ghana are the Convention People’s Party (CPP), People’s National Convention Party (PNC), Progress People’s Party (PPP) and All People’s Congress (APC).

Features of the Party System in Ghana

1. Most political parties in Ghana do not have branches across the country. Only the NPP and NDC have offices in all the constituencies.

2. Political parties, due to resource constraints, are not able to put up candidates for all elections. Only the NPP and NDC can run for parliamentary seats in all the constituencies.

3. Two parties (NPP and NDC) share about 95 per cent of the total votes cast in every presidential election.

4. The two main parties dominate regional votes and parliamentary seats.

Activity 4.4 Party System in Ghana

1. Conduct research on political parties that have contested presidential elections since 1992 and share with a friend. You may use Google (https:// www.google.com/) as an effective aid to do the analysis.

2. Research on the similarities and differences between the two dominant political parties in Ghana (NPP and NDC). Write your findings in tabular form as shown below and compare with a friend for feedback. You may interview a well-informed personality OR you may rely on materials on the party’s websites and social media channels (digital flyers and videos).

Use the following as a guide:

• Party leader

• Party structure

• Party ideology

• Party slogan or key message

• Three social media posts that represent the party’s priorities.

Similarities Differences

3. Using your research findings and observations from points 1 and 2 above, write and share with your classmates the main features of political parties in Ghana.

Political parties are vital to democracy. For one thing, parties are important organisations that serve as the platform for citizens to express their preferences for government policies and decisions. However, no political party can win the periodic and inclusive elections every time and will therefore sometimes constitute the opposition group.

Opposition political parties are essentially parties that do not form part of the ruling government but are seeking to gain it through democratic processes. In a multi-party system like Ghana’s, opposition parties play a crucial role in providing alternative policies and ideas to the ruling party. The idea of political opposition distinguishes a democratic system from an authoritarian administration.

The Role of Political Opposition

1. Serves as an alternative government (government-in-waiting)

2. Provides alternative vision, policies, and programmes.

3. Serves as a watchdog of government activities to ensure accountability.

4. Educates the citizens on the impact of government policies.

5. Interest aggregation, e.g., guarantee minority interests.

6. Strengthens the culture of democracy.

Activity 4.5 Opposition Political Parties

1. Using information from news items (e.g. online, TV, radio, social media platforms), write a page essay on the meaning and activities of opposition political parties. Present your work to classmates for further discussion.

Homework

2. Many political parties in Ghana and Africa still have work to do to make democracy sustainable. As a governance expert, make an action plan for political opposition parties in your country to hold the government accountable. The plan should include the three policy areas below: provision of alternative policies, guarantee of human rights and watchdog role over the activities of the government.

Discuss your findings with your classmates. You may base your decisions on what you already know, but it may be helpful to research the questions in the table below to get specific information related to the policy area.

Policy Area Action Plan

What kind of viable programmes and policies should the opposition party pursue?

How should human rights issues be handled by the political opposition?

What mechanisms should be used by political opposition to play the watchdog role over government

activities?

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is an independent body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting and supervising free and fair elections. The EC is institutionally independent from the executive branch of government. Thus, the authority and responsibilities of the EC are outlined in the 1992 constitution.

Features of the Electoral Commission

1. Independence

2. Impartiality

3. Neutrality

4. Professionalism Composition of Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission (EC) currently consists of seven (7) members namely:

Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons and other four Members. The Chairperson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. The two Deputy Chairpersons are in charge of the Finance Administration and Electoral Services of the Commission.

However, the seven members are collectively responsible for policymaking and management of the organisation.

The seven members of the Commission are appointed by the President on the advice of the Council of State. As a requirement (Article 52), the Commission appoints officers and other employees in consultation with the Public Services Commission. As such, the Commission has a three-level structure of the Head Office (Accra), Regional Offices and District Offices.

Functions of the Electoral Commission

1. Demarcation and revision of electoral boundaries: the EC is authorised to review the boundaries of the electoral constituencies periodically considering the population increase or decrease and its density.

2. Compilation and revision of the electoral register: the EC has the responsibility to compile the electoral register and review it on an annual basis. This is usually done to incorporate or add newly qualified voters. In addition, an overhaul of the register is done to clean it of ghost names or individuals who are dead.

3. Conduct and supervision of public elections: the EC also has the responsibility of conducting and supervising all public elections in Ghana. This is done through the printing of ballot papers, registration of political parties and candidates willing to contest any public elections and the recruitment and training of staff for the polling stations and those hired for the election processes.

4. Education of the citizens on electoral issues: the EC also educate the citizens/ Ghanaians on the electoral processes such as the qualified voting age, polling stations and registration centres, and proxy voting among others.

5. Other functions as may be prescribed by law: This includes the publication of provisional results, accreditation for election observers, and auditing the accounts of registered political parties, including their funding activities.

Activity 4.6 The Electoral Commission

1. Research the composition of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and share your responses with a friend. In pairs, sum up in a sentence the structure and composition of the EC. More details can be found on the EC website.

2. Research one EC function and, in a group of 3, create an informative poster/ leaflet that raises awareness among the Ghanaian population. Select one person to present your poster to the ‘EC’ (i.e. the rest of the class). You may use the 1992 constitution as reference material.

Congratulations to you for successfully going through Section 4. You will realise that Section 5 is especially interesting because it focuses on the practical side of administration in Ghana. Here, you will be introduced to three concepts, namely, decentralisation, public and civil service, and e-governance. Each is concerned with the processes of service delivery. You will begin by learning the meaning of ‘decentralisation’. You will then identify the forms they take and proceed to Public and Civil Service. You will end this section by discussing the advent of digital technologies that are necessary for pursuing a successful administration through electronic governance (e-governance).

Key Ideas

• Decentralisation and local government are one of the most effective ways of ensuring development.

• E-government and E-governance are the means of improving service delivery through the use of ICT.

• Public service is mainly responsible for government policy formulation and implementation.

Decentralisation refers to the transfer of authority, resources, and responsibilities from the central government to local units. In decentralisation, decision-making func- tions, authority to plan, and participation in the production and distribution of goods and services are shifted from the higher level of government (the central government) to agencies at the lower levels. Decentralisation can be categorised into three main types: devolution, deconcentration and delegation.

Devolution: The most distinctive characteristic of devolution is that the transfer of power from the central government to the grassroots units empowers the local communities to manage their affairs. The transfer of power to the local unit is a legal requirement rather than at the discretion of the central government.

Deconcentration: This is the transfer of responsibilities from central government ministries and agencies operating at the capital cities (Accra) to field offices of those agencies at the local units such as Asankragwa in the Western region, Nandom in the Upper West and Keta in the Volta region of Ghana. It is a geographical shift in where central government operates, rather than a localisation of decision-making. It details reducing the workload of the central government ministries by having these functions performed at locations or offices closer to the people.

Delegation: Governments move responsibilities when they create public enterprises or corporations, or special project implementation units to allow for the performance of specialised functions that are important to both government and citizens. The role of central government becomes more ‘arm’s length’, but it remains ultimately accountable for the actions of bodies with delegated powers.

Local government means government that is close or nearby. Local government comprises administrative bodies, each covering a small geographical area. In other words, local government has been established to take care of the needs of people in your area or community. A typical example is the district.

Ghana’s local government system has three arrangements, namely: the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC), the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Sub-district structures. Below is further information about the structure and composition of each Level 1: Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) The Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) serve as the link between the central government and the districts within the region. Members of RCC are not elected and also do not have the power to collect taxes from individuals and businesses. Currently, there are 16 RCCs. Their general role is the coordination of activities within the regions.

It consists of the following membership:

a. Regional Minister (chairperson)

b. Deputy (ies)

c. District Chief Executives (DCEs) of the districts in the region

d. Presiding Members (PMs) of the districts in the region

e. Two representatives of the Regional House of Chiefs

f. Regional heads of the deconcentrated line ministries/departments.

Level 2: District Assemblies (DAs)

The District Assemblies in Ghana are the core of local governance, serving as the highest political and administrative authorities at the district level. They have power to levy taxes, manage budgets, and exercise legislative and executive functions. There are three types of District Assemblies: Metropolitan, Municipal, and District, collectively known as the MMDAs.

The main factors for distinguishing between the district assemblies are population size and geography/land size of the area. For that matter, Metropolitan Assemblies serve areas with populations over 250,000, including cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale.

Municipal Assemblies serve areas with populations between 95,000 and 250,000.

District Assemblies serve areas with populations between 75,000 and 95,000. Each type of assembly holds equal power and performs over eighty (80) specific functions, including resource mobilisation for development, promoting cultural heritage, and ensuring access to justice.

In terms of composition, the District Assemblies/MMDAs consist of the following members:

a. 70% of the Assembly Members are elected by Ghanaians (i.e. each electoral area within the district elects one Assemblyman/woman)

b. 30% of Membership Members are appointed by the President in consultation with traditional authorities and interest groups.

c. District Chief Executive (DCE)

d. Member (s) of Parliament (e.g., ex-officio member) whose constituencies fall within the area of jurisdiction.

Level 3: Sub-District Structures

The lowest level of the local government system in Ghana is the sub-district structures.

It is the unit closest to the residents or citizens and responsible for performing basic functions. It is made up of the Urban, Zonal, Town, and Area Councils (UZTACs) and the Unit Committees.

c. District Chief Executive (DCE)

d. Member (s) of Parliament (e.g., ex-officio member) whose constituencies fall within the area of jurisdiction.

LLeevveell 33:: SSuubb--DDiissttrriicctt SSttrruuccttuurreess

The lowest level of the local government system in Ghana is the sub-district structures.

It is the unit closest to the residents or citizens and responsible for performing basic functions. It is made up of the Urban, Zonal, Town, and Area Councils (UZTACs) and the Unit Committees.

FFiigguurree 55..11:: Local Government Structure in Ghana

Regional Coordinating

Council Metropolitan

Assembly District Assembly

Sub-Metropolitan District

Zonal Council

Town Council

Urban/Town/Area Council

Municipal Assembly

Unit Committees

Figure 5.1: Local Government Structure in Ghana

Features of Ghana’s Local Government System

₁. It is a hybrid system where 70% of the members are elected by Ghanaians and 30% are appointed by the government. In addition, the District Chief Executives are also appointed by the President.

2. Central government ministries/departments are established at the local level.

3. It is a non-partisan system as Assembly members cannot contest on the ticket of any registered political party in Ghana.

Activity 5.1 Decentralisation and Local Government

1. Visit the library and go through related materials on the meaning of decentralisation. Use your findings to explain the types of decentralisation and their main features. Record your findings on a chart like the one below.

Compare your ideas with a friend and prepare to present them in class.

One recommended website is https://gsdrc.org/professional-dev/ decentralisation/ Main Features Devolution Deconcentration Delegation Follow the link and watch the audio descriptive video on local government.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ps6Kc4oE0.

It features a cat named Stubb, elected as the honorary mayor of Talkeetna in Alaska, United States for 20 years.

2. Consider the following stimulus questions, and discuss them with classmates, either in person or via chat.

a. Why was the cat elected as the mayor of the community?

b. What did the citizens achieve by electing a cat as mayor?

3. Research and write a paragraph that summarises, in your own words, the meaning of local government. Present your findings to a peer for feedback.

You may visit https://www.local.gov.uk/about/what-local-government for more information.

4. Visit your District Assembly and have a conversation with officials to explain the institutional structure of Ghana’s local administration. Another option is to arrange and submit the questions through email for the public official to answer them. Share your report with a friend and together with him/ her craft an informative ‘brochure’ to teach a primary six pupil about the structure of local government in Ghana. Present your work for further class discussion.

Questions to ask could include:

a. What is the structure of the local government in Ghana?

b. What powers do the MMDAs possess and can exercise?

c. How do MMDAs enhance community life and provide services?

5. Visit the website of the local government (district) in your area to find out the programme and services provided using the table below as a guide.

In a group of not more than 4, present your findings in class for further discussion:

Name of your District Water provision Rubbish collection Market Street lighting

Example 1:

Provision of 3

mechanised boreholes at Tanokrom community after 30 years (in 2023)

Example:

Construction of satellite market stalls at Adiembra (2021)

The Civil Service in Ghana is the administrative body within the executive branch of government responsible for helping to formulate and implement policies and programmes. It consists of professional employees working at various ministries (e.g.

Ministry of Education, Agriculture), departments (e.g. Social Welfare, Birth and Death), and agencies (e.g. Ghana Tourism Authority), both at the central and local government levels. These employees are hired under uniform rules and are paid directly from the consolidated fund. While the Civil Service is a part of the broader Public Service, as defined in Article 190 of the 1992 Constitution, it is distinct in terms of its conditions.

Other public sector workers, such as teachers, police officers, and employees of public corporations, are not part of the Civil Service but are part of the wider Public Service.

Principles of the Civil Service

₁. Anonymity: This refers to the idea that certain decisions and actions of Civil Servants are kept confidential and not subject to public scrutiny. In other words, Civil Servants are not directly credited or blamed for outcomes within the state’s agencies; political leaders bear ultimate responsibility for both successes and failures.

2. Impartiality: This refers to the fact that the Civil Servant is expected to serve the current government and future political administrations without political bias concerning the implementation of policies and programmes.

3. Neutrality: Civil Servants are not expected to be involved in partisan politics. The individual has the right to belong to a political party of his/her choice but cannot engage in open politics through dress code, argument or writing at the workplace.

Thus, it is an institution that is devoid of partisan interference.

4. Permanence: the Civil Service is not subject to periodic changes of personnel like the political government. It is an institution that relies on the periodic existence of politicians or changes in government. The Civil Servants have job security and can remain in their roles, only exiting upon reaching retirement age. However, there are instances when they could be fired or made redundant before retirement.

5. Expertise: refers to the detailed knowledge the Civil Servant possesses about running affairs of the state through research and long years of experience.

6. Merit-based: recruitment and selection into the Civil Service is based on one’s qualifications and experience.

Components of the Public Service in Ghana Civil Service

1. Prisons Service

2. Education Service

3. Judicial Service

4. Statistical Service

5. Customs Excise and Preventive Service

6. Parliamentary Service

7. Audit Service

8. National Fire Service

9. Legal Service

10. Police Service

11. Internal Revenue Service

12. Immigration Service

13. Health Service

14. Public corporations other than those set for commercial ventures and public services established by the Constitution or an act of Parliament.

Structure of the Civil Service (Ghana)

The Civil Service has a distinctive structure and is hierarchically organised. The administrative class occupies the top position. Below this class is the professional, executive class, secretarial/clerical class and at the bottom of the structure is the messenger class.

1. Administrative class: The highest level of the Civil Service is occupied by individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience, such as Chief Directors and Heads of Departments. They serve as intermediaries between elected politicians and the rest of the civil service, offering technical advice and policy recommendations to ministers while also handling managerial duties.

2. Professional: It is occupied by people with specialised knowledge and expertise such as lawyers, accountants, doctors and engineers. In other words, they are specialised trained for their jobs. Their main role is advising the government on technical issues.

3. Executive class: It is responsible for implementing day-to-day government policies and programmes. The minimum qualification for entry is an HND or GCE ‘A’ level or equivalent qualification.

4. Clerical class: They are responsible for secretarial and routine administration, such as arranging for meetings and conferences and answering telephone and walk-in inquiries. Applicants for the clerical class must possess WASSCE or an equivalent grade.

5. Messenger class (Manipulative/Auxiliary): This class includes messengers, cleaners, gardeners, and drivers, who may not require formal education to do their assigned jobs. Their duties involve performing manual labour.

Activity 5.2 Public Service

1. What do you think each word from the terminology (i.e. public, civil, service) list means? (Do not look up the answers in the dictionary). Share your understanding with peers. How similar or different are your definitions from your peers? Next, look up the Encyclopaedia Britannica definition (https://www.britannica.com/) for each term and compare it to your responses. How similar or different are they?

2. Together with a friend, conduct research on the features of the Civil Service in Ghana and prepare a presentation for class discussion. Start your research with the resource below before visiting your local or school library.

https://ohcs.gov.gh/documents/

3. Write a two-page paper on the Public Service as it applies to Ghana. The first page should address components of the Public Service as found in the 1992 Constitution. The second page should address your interpretation of the features. Paste your responses on your class whiteboard for discussion. Use the Public Services Commission website. https://psc.gov.gh/

Electronic government (e-government), also known as digital government, refers to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to provide and improve government services. It deals with the public sector institutions making use of technologies to improve the delivery of services. Thus, e-government is the modernisation of the public sector to make it more efficient and effective through digital technologies (email, website, social media) adoption. Simply, a shift from traditionally paper-based services.

Four Separate Stages of E-Government Development

Four separate stages of e-government development have been identified:

1. Electronic presence, where government information is available online.

2. Interaction, allowing citizens to engage with public sector organisations through tools such as email and chat boxes.

3. Transaction, enabling electronic payments for services using credit (e.g. Visa cards).

4. Connected presence, where government services are fully integrated and interactive online.

E-governance on the other hand deals with the use of ICTs in service delivery and information provision online beyond public sector institutions. E-governance is not just about government websites and email. E-governance is a broader concept. It relates to two-way dialogue and interaction between the government and its citizens.

Simply, it deals with the use of ICT to involve several actors and institutions in the decision-making process.

Activity 5.3 E-governance

1. Interview your friend to find out the services they acquire through manual means (i.e. face-to-face communication/paper-based transaction). Ask your friend, “What do you think are some of the challenges with the manual services delivery?” Together with other friends, form a group of not more than 4 and collaboratively discuss how to improve the manual service delivery. Write the main ideas on a piece of paper and share them with the entire class.

2. Conduct research and prepare a presentation about the various e-government services in Ghana (e.g. payment of taxes, acquiring a driver’s license). In your findings, reference your own experiences and the experiences shown in the use of the website. Post your work on the whiteboard for feedback from your peers. Visit the Ghana digital services and payments platform https://www.ghana.gov.gh to begin your search.