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

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knowledge is utilised, policy is developed and implemented, citizens participate in
governance, and public administration reform and good governance is met. Today,
the growing participation of the in the information society and their awareness and
competence to use IT has led to increasing demands on local government authorities
to improve their service provision, governance mechanisms and communication to the
people through ICT. As such, municipalities have considerable potential to assist in
the process of integration of ICTs into the daily lives of its citizens.
It is the aim of the author that this study will be read and used in relation to the
objectives above, and that the recommendations will serve as valuable input for actors
and stakeholders of the North South Local Government Programme of the AFLRA, as
well as others involved in development cooperation, for the promotion of E-Governance
as an enabler for good governance, democracy and equality.
Acknowledgement
Many people have contributed to the coming into fruition of this study. First of all I
would like to thank my superior Ms Heli Liikkanen of the Association of Finnish Local
and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) for providing valuable guidance and support
during the writing process. This work would not have been possible without the the
inspiration and guidance of Mr. Heikki Lunnas, Director of the Information Society
Unit of the AFLRA. My sincere thanks to my colleagues Karita Immonen, Siru Aura
and Suvi Kuusi for their support during the research process.
I would also wish to express my sincere thanks to a wide range of stakeholders from
Ghana, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Kenya and Swaziland who participated in
this study by giving their time to answer the questionnaires and share their knowledge
and experience on various components of the e-readiness of their respective local governments.
I would also state my immense appreciation to Mr. Mazin Yassin and Ms.
Zainab Musah for their contribution and support during the whole process. Finally,
many thanks are due to Ms. Sika Menka for her contribution and help during the fi nal
stages of this work.