An African proverb admonishes us that: “Whenever the rhythm of the drum beats adjustments, you have to change the dance motion accordingly.”
It is now not privileged information that Information and Communication Technology has launched the whole globe into what’s now referred to as the e-world-meaning digital world. Today Governments the world over are somersaulting to reinvent and re-engineer governance in order to be simpler, environment friendly and clear within the provision of data, items and companies to their residents electronically.
Fortunately Ghana has already began dancing to the tune of the technological music as a result of authorities has laid the inspiration for e-government by establishing the federal government of Ghana web site popularly known as Ghana Portal which is being managed by the Information Services Department of the Ministry of Information in Accra. Government has additionally established the Ghana-India Kofi Anan IT Centre of Excellence and above all, Ghana has formulated an Information Communication Technology framework for accelerated growth, being spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications.
Nevertheless, in the case of the practicability, accessibility and value of e-government companies by residents, Ghana nonetheless has some mountains to climb and a few rivers and lagoons to wade via. It is in opposition to this backdrop that this author deems it related to share the Singapore e-government expertise with fellow Ghanaians. But, even earlier than shedding some gentle on e-government methods and implementations in Singapore, it could be crucial to clarify what e-government is within the first place.
On Saturday July 31 this 12 months, on the Johannesburg Airport in South Africa, this author got here throughout a bunch of Ghanaians on their approach to Zimbabwe to participate in a e-book honest in that nation. Then in a chart with one in all them, the place it was revealed that I used to be on my manner from Singapore the place I underwent a brief coaching course in e-government, my interlocutor exclaimed:
‘Eeeee-Government!’ “What is that animal, too?” he just about shouted unconsciously.
As a matter of reality, my good friend confessed that, he was listening to for the primary time the time period e-government. Later after we parted firm and he went to Zimbabwe and I used to be airborne to Ghana, I began debating with my interior self: “If this man, well-educated, residing within the capital metropolis of Accra, collaborating in a global occasion resembling a e-book honest, has not but heard of the time period e-government till then, then what occurs to nearly all of uneducated and fewer lucky brothers and sisters dwelling in disadvantaged rural communities of the nation?
Because we live in a world of Knowledge Management (KM) and Experience Sharing, I can not declare to be an skilled on this subject, however the little I find out about e-government should be shared with others for the good thing about all who care to know; for the development of mankind and to the glory of the Divine Intelligence or the First Giver of data itself.
The query is: What is E-government? The United Nations defines e-Government as “Permanent dedication by authorities to enhance the connection between the personal citizen and the general public sector via enhanced, cost-effective and environment friendly supply of companies, info and information.” It went additional to clarify that there are 5 classes of measuring a rustic’s “e-gov” progress by way of Web Presence. This consists of: Emerging – Enhanced – Interactive – Transactional and Fully Integrated. All UN member states have been known as upon and inspired to embark on this e-government undertaking and programme.
Accordingly the world physique has a manner of assessing the progress of every nation on this regard. Significantly within the UN Report for this 12 months on e-government globally, Singapore, a small Island City State of Land- Area of 697.1sq km with a inhabitants of 4.185 million souls is sharing the 2nd place with the mighty United States of America with Canada comfortably sitting on prime of all.
How did Singapore make it to the highest of e-government league desk of the world? What methods and insurance policies had been put in place; when and the way did that nation obtain such a technological feat over and above the tremendous powers of this planet of financial inequalities?
Computerisation
Singapore set off on its e-government journey way back to about 25 years in the past. In 1981, Singapore embarked upon a computerization programme of the federal government equipment. It first established a National Computer Board and National Computerisation Plan. The Plan was to make sure a scientific development of native IT business; Development of IT manpower pool; Civil Service Computerisation Plan and the manufacturing of 850 IT Professionals.
National IT Plan
After the Computerisation programme, the Singapore authorities embarked upon what was known as the National IT Plan. The National IT Plan initiated what was referred to as the Beginnings of Computing Communications Convergence. It additionally constituted what was dubbed Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which was principally geared toward bridging Government and business. This plan happened in 1986 that’s 5 years or so after the Computerisation Programme.
IT 2000 Blueprint for Intelligence Island
This Blueprint technique that additionally began over 5 years after the
National IT Plan in 1992 was to impact what was known as Flagship Projects on the Singapore Island. It had the aims to create an digital community linking all libraries in that nation; safe infrastructure for e-commerce; Expert system for checking all constructing plans within the nation and above all to determine Singapore ONE, that’s, to create one community for everybody in Singapore. It was this technique that shot Singapore as much as the place of the world’s first nationwide broadband infrastructure nation within the e-world.
Infocomm 2001
The subsequent step Singapore took, after attaining a nationwide broadband infrastructure, was to launch what was dubbed Infocomm 2001. This undertaking was launched in 12 months 2000 and geared toward growing Singapore right into a vibrant and dynamic world info communication capital, with a thriving and affluent e-Economy, and a pervasive and “Infocomm-savvy” e-Society and full telecom liberalisation in that nation.
Connected Singapore
In 2003, Singapore authorities launched the ultimate onslaughts on its e-government programme by establishing what was merely referred to as Connected Singapore. This technique was to unleash the potential for the overall realisation of all e-government prospects via the Info comm undertaking of the nation.
Briefly, the previous steps identified in Singapore because the 5 (5) National Strategic ICT Plans give us an summary of the strategy Singapore adopted to grow to be the 2nd e-Nation within the e-World at present behind Canada. The Singapore authorities has a philosophy that: “Whatever companies that may be delivered electronically should be delivered electronically” Period.
Another African proverb reminds us that, “If your tormentor who’s operating after you doesn’t cease, you, too, should not cease operating.” As lengthy as Ghana stays a growing nation, Ghanaians should not cease combating to develop and progress.
In the primary a part of this text the definition of e-Government in keeping with the United Nations was offered. Singapore authorities used the UN definition of e-Government as a information, however simplified it for simple understanding by bizarre particular person on the street.
According to Singapore, e-Government is the usage of know-how to
improve the entry to and supply of presidency companies to profit residents and companies. It identified that the beneficiaries of e- Government embrace the federal government itself, companies and the residents of the nation involved.
How did the Singapore Government use know-how to boost entry to and supply of presidency info and companies to the individuals? E-Government Action Plan II (2003-2006) In order to realize its acknowledged targets the Singapore authorities formulated an motion plan referred to as e-Government Action Plan II for the 12 months 2003 to 2006.The imaginative and prescient of the Government was to be a number one e- Government to higher serve the nation within the digital financial system.
The goal of this Plan was to make sure “a Networked Government
that delivers accessible, built-in, value-added e-services to our clients; and helps convey residents nearer collectively”. A slogan was developed thus: e-Government- Delighting Customers, Connecting Citizens.
What are a number of the companies that the Singapore Government supplies for its clients who’re the residents of the nation? Even earlier than we contact on a number of the companies offered on-line, shall we discover out why Singapore authorities got here to the belief that the beneficiaries of e-Government embrace Government, companies and residents?
It is vital to notice that throughout the scope of e-Government, there are a number of classes that match into the broad definition of e-Government. For instance, e-Government constitutes: A Government- to-Citizens (G2C); B- Government-to-Business (G2B); C- Government-to-Employees (G2E); and ultimately D-Government to- Government (G2G).
G2C: Government-to-Citizens, in keeping with specialists, consists of all of the interactions between a authorities and its residents that may happen electronically. The goal of G2C is to supply residents quicker, extra responsive, extra handy and simpler means to public companies.
G2B: In the case of Government-to-Business, it refers to e-commerce through which authorities sells to companies or supplies them with companies, in addition to companies promoting services and products to authorities. Again the target of G2B is to allow companies to work together, transact and talk with authorities on-line, with better velocity and comfort.
G2E: Government-to-Employees consists of actions and companies between authorities models and their staff. As the time period implies, the target of G2E is to develop and domesticate IT capabilities amongst authorities staff to ship environment friendly and cost-effective companies.
G2G: Interestingly, Government-to-Government appears to have twin significance. One, G2G is alleged to encompass actions between authorities and different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the identical authorities.
The different which means of G2G is a scenario through which Governments should take care of their different counterpart governments of various international locations. This second G2G within the opinion of specialists is anchored on belief and interdependence, which permits for info sharing amongst governments on regional, sub-regional and worldwide points.
For instance, the management of terrorism; the administration of cross border ailments like SARS, which occurred in Asia a while in the past and even HIV/AIDS. This G2G additionally has to do with frequent financial challenges in addition to ethnic wars and conflicts issues dealing with West African States for example. For Singapore authorities to realize the enviable e-Government standing via efficient on-line companies supply to its residents, sure methods had been once more adopted:
I) E-Government Infrastructure
The authorities put in place a National Information Infrastructure as spine for e-government companies supply. This technique was christened Public Service Infrastructure (PSI) in Singapore.
Physical Infrastructure
Government itself offered Internet entry factors in handy locations resembling public libraries, procuring malls, authorities workplaces, hospitals, subway stations and golf equipment and related public locations for the residents to make use of freed from cost.
Technology Infrastructure
Here, the Government offered computer systems, servers, networks (broadband and wi-fi), cell gadgets, good playing cards in addition to know-how requirements which can be open and scalable resembling Java, XML, Web companies.
Authentication Infrastructure
Under this the federal government offered E-Government ID and Password for all its residents. It made it simpler for very citizen to know tips on how to log on-line and entry Government info and companies.
II) E-Government Legislation &Policy
Having put in place the required infrastructure for the e-government companies to the residents, the subsequent technique the Singapore authorities adopted was the enactment of related guidelines and rules and insurance policies that govern the implementation of the programme.
Some of the key rules had been meant to safeguard privateness and knowledge safety; knowledge safety, knowledge privateness, laptop misuse, authorized recognition of digital transactions, official management of cryptography, safety audits and properly as requirements and certification of safety practices. Singapore’s laws and code of apply embrace Computer Misuse Act; Electronic Transaction Act, which was enacted in 1998, tried to outline the rights and obligations of transaction events, and in addition offered authorized standing on the usage of digital information and signature. The Government additionally offered knowledge Protection Code.
III) E-Government Services
After putting in ICT infrastructure and laws and coverage the federal government then developed a web site known as E-Citizen Portal. This web site was to allow residents to ask questions and obtain solutions. Specific digital companies deliveries are offered on this website.
Some of the companies on this web site embrace fee of taxes and fines; Issuance and renewal of driver’s licenses; Helping residents discover employment; National campaigns and consciousness creation on social companies such well being and training; Introduction of Internet and IT coaching programs; e-learning and good card in faculties. So laptop literacy began proper from the first college in Singapore and so forth.
In the poor and rural communities, the federal government offered free computer systems and Internet entry factors and posted officers who know tips on how to function the gear to help the illiterates to profit from the web companies.
In reality, in Singapore at present some companies just like the issuing of Passports and Birth Certificates, it’s a must to sit within the consolation of your private home and fill the required kinds and e-mail them to the suitable authorities. Government will reward you for acquiring the companies on line. Interestingly should you go personally to these workplaces for the companies, you’ll pay penalty for going there personally. And after paying the penalty you’ll be directed to go and use a pc in a nook
there within the workplace nonetheless to use for the paperwork you needed.
In the case of Businesses, E-Tender was launched in that any firm that needed to bid for presidency contracts can solely try this via the Internet. Corporate taxes may solely be filed electronically. Annual Reports and periodic enterprise experiences are all offered on-line. As within the case of E-Citizens Portal, there’s additionally one-stop Portal for all authorities procurement alternatives with
over 8,000 buying and selling companions. It is on this Portal that every one company our bodies do enterprise with the federal government in Singapore. This is named built-in e- Services.
This is the extent of E-Government Services in Singapore. Is it any marvel that they’re the 2nd e-nation after Canada within the e-world? Ghana, too, can do the identical regardless of how lengthy it takes. What is vital is for the Ghanaian IT specialists to provide the proper technological recommendation to the federal government of Ghana.
