Pockets of innovation in the public sector: Digitalization as a driver of change and innovation in Ghana’s public sector

Abstract

Digitalization has had a phenomenal impact on public management by redefining how public services are delivered in two main strategic ways; (a) speeding up and strategically improving public service delivery and (b) enabling public servants, politicians, and citizens to interact, engage and influence each other in the public sphere. Despite these promises, most countries especially those in developing countries, are still waiting in vain for the expected returns on their digitalization investment. This raises some questions worthy of consideration. First, what is digitalization and what is its value in the public sector? What kind of digitalization is suitable for developing countries and under what conditions? The central argument of this paper is that expected benefits of digitalization are not a given, but wholly dependent upon the successful adoption and adaption of what is referred to here as digitalization friendly policies.  Using the example of the recent digitalization crusade in Ghana, the paper examines this relative success story in a developing country context to highlight how reforms can be creatively adapted to fit the needs of individual countries. This way, the research contributes to and advances knowledge and understanding of practitioners, policymakers and students of public management on how to build resilient societies and communities through digitalization.