Integrating E-Participation into Decentralized Planning: Perspective of Planning Officers in Northern Ghana

Abstract

This study explored the status, opportunities, and the challenges of integrating e-participation into decentralized planning in Northern Ghana from the perspectives of planning officers. The study used phenomenological research and purposively selected Metropolitan and Municipal Planning Officers (MMPOs) and Regional Planning Officers (RPOs) for interview. The data gathered were coded using NVIVO 10 and then analyzed thematically. The results found that the use of e-participation in decision making at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) level has been in existence for some time but to a limited scale. WhatsApp, Websites, Emails, Mobile Phones, Radio, Zoom, GIS Applications, Facebook, Google Meet were the most frequently used e-platforms. Although the study identified the availability of opportunities at the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMA) level for the implementation of e-participation including the mass use of computers and mobile phones devices, high literacy rate, and the availability of ICT infrastructure and network connectivity, the absence of a policy framework and guidelines to support the adoption and integration of e-participation in decentralized planning at the MMDA was a major setback. Other factors that affected the adoption of e-participation in the studied Assemblies included high cost of participation, low trust and confidence and lack of political and leadership support among others. The study concludes that e-participation is not a new phenomenon to MMDAs in northern Ghana and its adoption is far better than the traditional mode of participation because of its convenience, cost effectiveness, and timeliness. The study thus recommends that the following measures should be considered: provision of ICT infrastructure and networks, training of Officers and public education, blending both e-participation and traditional method of participation and formulation and implementation of policy and guidelines on e-participation to aid its operationalization in decentralized development planning in Ghana.