E-GOVERNMENT PLATFORM LAUNCH ................................................................................................... Launch and Inaugural Lecture on The E-Governance Forum. As part of the pragmatic efforts to transform Ghana into an information-rich knowledge-based society, Media Response, in collaboration with First Digital Television and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), yesterday launched the e-Governance Forum in Accra. Anchored on the theme, “Enhancing Citizen Participation in the e-Governance Process”, the platform has been created to educate the public, create awareness and enhance citizen’s participation in the e-governance transformation process in Ghana. Launching the forum, the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication, Hon Albert Abongo, expressed the conviction that government had taken all the necessary initiatives to bridge the gap between the information rich and the information poor as far as ICT was concerned. This move according to him would enhance citizens’ knowledge of ICT. He explained that ICT was growing at a faster pace in the western world and there was therefore the need for Ghanaians to double their steps and catch up with them. As a result, he noted that government had set up training institutions to empower citizens with the requisite knowledge and skills in ICT. The Executive Director of Media Response, Mr Samuel Dodoo, in his remarks noted that the government of Ghana under the various political administrations had demonstrated various levels of commitment towards achieving the goals of the e-governance policy which aimed at promoting electronic government and governance. “Despite the country’s remarkable achievements in the provision of key e-governance infrastructure and systems, lack of adequate public understanding and participation in the process had the potential to jeopardise the process”, Mr Dodoo said. He hinted that programmes such as quarterly e-governance forum, women in ICT, inter –schools e-governance debates and many others had been outlined under the e-governance policy for increased public awareness and participation in the process. He added that the move would lead to openness, increased transparency, accountability and improved public service delivery. The chairman for the occasion, Mr Kwaku Ofosu Adarkwa, an IT expert reiterated that e-governance improved transparency and efficiency in industries and businesses both in the public and private sectors of the economy. He urged government to continue to partner with its ICT institutions to bridge the gap between the citizens and technology, adding that ICT and e-governance should be extended to the grass roots. He appealed with Non- Governmental Organisations to support the government to demystify ICT to ensure increased uptake of the e-governance services by ordinary citizens which would lead to efficiency, transparency and productivity in the country. NITA Director in charge of Strategic and Architectural Planning Mr Tony Bediako said Ghana made the smartest decision by adopting the ICT development infrastructure. He explained that NITA as a government Agency had the mandate to regulate the processes of Ghana’s ICT services and deliver up to standards by ensuring that every citizen had a knowledge in ICT. He revealed that NITA had initiated projects like the e-immigration, e-parliament, e-procurement, and many others which would automate processes and streamline the use of ICT for citizens’ transformation.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 07:59:39 +0000
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