The Role of E‐Governance in Promoting Government Accountability and Transparency in Ghana

Abstract

The study examines the role of Ghana's leading e‐governance portals (Ghana.gov, e‐Justice, and e‐Procurement) in enhancing transparency and accountability in the digitalization of public services. The study was grounded in the Principal–Agent theory, literature on accountability, and current discussions surrounding Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The study formulates and employs the Transparency and Accountability Framework (TAF) to evaluate the usefulness of these initiatives. A scoping review following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines revealed 18 pertinent sources, which were analyzed through both deductive (TAF‐based) and inductive thematic approaches. The results indicate that Ghana's portals have improved access to information and diminished certain informational disparities, especially in areas such as revenue mobilization, case tracking, and procurement oversight. However, the change of transparency into accountability and enforceability is still constrained. Thus, procurement blacklists are applied inconsistently, judicial misconduct seldom leads to sanctions, and mechanisms for citizen feedback are underdeveloped. Access is disproportionately benefiting urban, tech‐savvy people, which puts small and medium‐sized businesses and rural areas at a disadvantage. As a result, equity concerns remain apparent. When evaluated from the standpoint of the DPI, Ghana's scenario shows that while portals are necessary, they are insufficient on their own. For instance, their longevity and inclusivity rely on the strength of foundational systems like digital Identification (ID), payments, and data exchange. The study presents the case that Ghana's approach to sequencing portal rollouts in conjunction with DPI investments signifies a unique addition to the discourse on digital governance in Africa, highlighting both achievements and important warnings. Recommendations for policy enhancement involve (a) bolstering interoperability among agencies, (b) requiring the publication of procurement data in accessible formats, (c) broadening cybersecurity governance, (d) incorporating citizen engagement in portal design, and (e) tackling issues related to affordability and literacy. Collectively, these actions emphasize that although technology has the potential to reduce information disparities, it is ultimately institutional reforms and political determination that can effectively complete the accountability cycle.