…The need for prudent technology adoption in gov’t operations
In this digital age, adopting technology to streamline government operations, enhance service delivery, and bolster transparency is often hailed as the panacea for bureaucratic inefficiencies. Yet, this transformation must be navigated with caution.
Given the growing number of digital solutions to government operations in Ghana and other parts of the developing world, as a change management expert, I am compelled to address the potential pitfalls and challenges accompanying this digital transition, particularly when undertaken without adequate change management support.
The consequences of hastily adopting technology in governance can be far-reaching. As highlighted by scholars from the University of Hawaii, digital technologies can provide inaccurate information to the public and even sound false alarms in emergency situations. Without proper oversight, the use of big data by government agencies can exacerbate existing inequality and harm communities, as noted by the Ford Foundation.
Moreover, the lack of internal IT capacity and agency, coupled with complex contracting processes, often hinder the effective implementation of such technologies. For instance, the ad-hoc adoption of technology in response to crises can lead to obstacles in operating the technology successfully, with both positive and negative impacts.
In September 2021, Ghana launched Ghana Post GPS, to improve its public address system and inform development planning and policy framing. One major problem the Government faced was low awareness and adoption of the technology. Ghanaians were not familiar with the new Ghana Post GPS and convincing them to use the technology was a heavy burden. Additionally, the new addressing system was fraught with technology access, infrastructure and connectivity, and data privacy, security, and accuracy issues. The overriding hurdle was the public’s resistance to change.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of technology adoption cannot be denied. It can improve efficiency, reduce corruption, and enable real-time monitoring of public services. However, the key to reaping these benefits lies in an effective change management strategy.
Change management involves preparing and supporting individuals to adopt new technologies, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation. It includes building the desire for, raising the awareness of, training, and equipping staff to use the technology, developing supportive policies, and creating a culture that embraces innovation.
One notable example of a successful change management strategy in leveraging technology for public sector transformation can be found in Estonia, dubbed as the ‘Digital Republic’. By investing in digital literacy programs and infrastructure, the Estonian government ensured that its citizens were ready to embrace digital governance, resulting in a remarkably efficient e-government system.
In conclusion, while adopting technology in government operations holds immense promise, it must be undertaken with prudence and foresight. We must balance the allure of digital efficiency with the value of a human-centered change management approach to navigate the potential pitfalls.
Ghana’s digitization drive, led by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is an ambitious initiative to transform the country into a digitized economy. However, Ghana can glean insights from Estonia’s digitization model, particularly regarding digital literacy and e-governance. Estonia’s success in becoming a ‘digital republic’ is largely due to its investment in digital literacy programs and infrastructure, which ensured citizen readiness for digital governance. In addition, Ghana should develop clear policies and regulations to guide digitization and protect citizens’ digital rights and have a robust change management strategy to get the results and return on investments in these digital transformation initiatives.
In the end, technology is a tool – its effectiveness lies not just in its adoption, but in how well it is integrated into the fabric of governance. It’s time we shift our focus from mere adoption to mindful adaptation of the change we want, for therein lies the true potential of digital governance.
The writer is the Founder of Nimdier, a Change Management Company | Ex-Global Board Member, ACMP
Email: [email protected]
Website: nimdier.com
Subscribe to Ben’s weekly 5mins read newsletter at: thrivesphere.substack.com
