Reforming Local Government Through Digitalisation: The Prospects and Limits of Local Context to Reform Outcomes

Abstract

This research investigates the execution of the digitalisation aspect of Ghana's National Public Sector Reform Strategy (NPSRS) (2018–2023) across three local government entities: Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Techiman North District Assembly (TNDA), and Nabdam District Assembly (NDA). Employing a qualitative case study methodology, data were gathered through interviews with 27 participants. The results indicate that the outcomes of digitalisation differ markedly depending on the local context. The AMA exhibited the highest degree of digital maturity, whereas the NDA fell behind, hindered by adverse technological, organisational, and environmental factors. Although the TNDA has made some progress with interactive digitalisation, it has not advanced to the transactional phase as the AMA has. The study identifies a significant relationship between local context and the success of digitalisation, highlighting that assemblies that are well-resourced in both human and capital resources tend to achieve superior reform results.