The launch of recent high-profile, pan-African development initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has brought significant global attention to the concept and execution of good governance, transparency of policies and government processes, both at the centralised and decentralised level.
How the use of ICTs in local government can be beneficial to all stakeholders, taking into consideration the digital divide and the importance of creating an e-inclusive society?
In view of the overall commitment of the NEPAD Heads of State to stimulate the use of ICT as a driving force to foster social and economic development of the continent, the “e-Africa initiative for good governance: building e-governance capacity in Africa”, launched in October 2002 at the “e-Africa First Regional Workshop on Building e-Governance Capacity in Africa” (Johannesburg, 28-31 October 2002), address these issues at the level of policy and decision makers, stressing the significant development role and crosscutting impact that ICTs can have on all aspects of society.
To this end, the promoters of the e-Africa conference (CAFRAD, UNDESA and NEPAD), in consultation with other participants and partners, have recognized the need to mobilize the African and global public administration and ICT communities for e-governance in Africa and have agreed on an overall “Framework for Action on e-governance for Africa”. The framework identifies the vision for e-government, the mission that needs to be engaged by partners, strategic goals, the impacts expected, a set of strategic intervention areas and examples of outcomes expected.
The Framework for Action was further presented to the “4th Global Forum on Reinventing Government: Citizens, Businesses and Government: Dialogue and Partnerships for the Promotion of Democracy and Development” (Marrakech, 10-14 December 2002).
At the sub-national level, it is recognized that the appropriate use and integration of ICTs in the community can enhance and support social and economical development. The objectives of this focus would be the enhancement of good governance and democracy by ensuring linkages, networking and community cohesion, providing timely, efficient, transparent and accountable services, improving the management of operations and the reengineering of local government systems, facilitating planning and policy making processes, monitoring implementation policies and recording physical and social changes in the community, and therefore improving the quality of life of citizens. The integration of ICTs into municipalities and other local government contributes to informed populations, which are a basis for effective participatory governance. Read more
Announcement
Latest This Curriculum Guide for the development of specialized courses on e-governance in African countries intends to develop capacities in the effective use of ICT in the public sector, improve the delivery of public services to citizens, and enhance overall transparency and government accountability.
e-Government Project Launched in Gambia*
07-03-2005 - The government of The Gambia under the auspicious of DOSCIT has recently launched the E-Government project at the GRTS Building Complex, presided over by the vice President Isatou Njie Saidy. The objective of the E-Government project among other things include delivering first class public services, increasing citizen's participation, and streamlining public services.
