E-Governance and Anti-Corruption in Ghana: Contingency, Complexity and the Institutional Accountability Gap

Abstract

This study examines the role of e-governance initiatives in combating corruption within Ghana’s public sector. Employing a qualitative research approach, the investigation utilised in-depth interviews. The participants comprised public sector workers and service users who continuously use or implement e-governance systems in Ghana. The thematic analysis focused on assessing the current status of these initiatives, exploring their relationship to prevailing levels of corruption, identifying factors influencing their effectiveness and proposing strategic enhancements. Findings confirm that while e-governance systems have successfully enhanced transparency and reduced instances of petty bureaucratic corruption, their overall impact is complex and constrained by significant adoption barriers, notably low digital literacy and weak technological infrastructure. Crucially, the gains achieved through transparency are often undermined by an institutional accountability gap as evidenced by a pervasive lack of follow-up on reported corrupt activities and failure to enforce penalties. This research contributes to digital governance discourse by offering context-specific insights for policymakers on integrating technological advancements with mandatory institutional reforms to ensure the enduring effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies in Ghana and other developing countries.