E-READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE FOR NORTH ... - Kunnat.net

most residents. These two factors combined means that accessing information from
the internet is a preserve of only a few.
On governance, responses indicate that the local government authority’s commitment
to the use of ICT for service delivery is just within an average range and these
executives themselves have an above average competence in basic computer skills such
as browsing the internet, sending emails and creating documents. The staff of the local
government has an average level of competence in basic computer skills.
The most important channel of information fl ow between the different departments
and staff of the local government was person-to-person. The next in intensity of
use was via telephone.
Most respondents said only 0-25% of the local government staff has access to a
computer. A few said the range was slightly higher at 50-75%. My deduction therefore
is that only a few of the local government staff has access to a computer. Some of the
staff has had some personal in-service training of software applications.
The local government authority has a website at: http://ho.ghanadistricts.gov.gh/
that has information such as description of the municipality, news and events, pictures
of ongoing development projects within the municipality, and contact details of the
executive heads.
The main channels of communication between the general public and business
on one hand, and the local government authority on the other, was still largely over
the counter; meaning face-to-face. Telephone was next in intensity of use followed by
mail/fax or courier. For now video conferencing technology has not been used.
The creation of Community Information Centres in all Zonal Councils to aid rural
and urban connectivity and the connection of the administration to the internet are
some ICT E-Governance initiatives currently underway within the municipality. With
regards to ICT policies and guidelines, those relating to the introduction and learning
of ICT in schools and of rural-urban connectivity are in place.
Schools within the local government have an extremely limited amount of computers
for the use of students and teaching staff. Learners with disabilities have an almost
nonexistent possibility to access spacialised computers for their use. Teachers and trainers’
skills to teach with computers and how to integrate them into classroom learning
is very low. Residents have an average level of awareness and understanding of the potential
of ICT for development. ICT related education/ awareness that take place at
the community level include basic computing (MS word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
mobile phone repairs, sensitization of the people about the potential of ICT for development,
encouragement to go to the internet cafés to set up email accounts and communicate
via email. Respondents did not know if the local government had had any
experiences in utilising ICT for cultural/heritage entertainment products or services.
Respondents either did not know or were not themselves aware if there had been any
earlier ICT related survey on the e-competence or e-infrastructure of the local government
area.
Strenghtening e-Governance in the North-South Local Government Co-operation Programme 35