ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF E-GOVERNMENT ON CITIZENS A CASE STUDY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA

Abstract

This study is conducted to Assess the Impact of E-government on citizens with a focus on implementing an e-government portal. The following objectives were formed to achieve the overall goal of the study where a mixed methodology was used to get responses from citizens and government officials about the existing system of applying for government services in Liberia, forming part of the study’s object one (Assessing the Impact of E-Government on Citizens). This study examines the development, implementation, and impact of e-government on citizens as a digital transformative tool. E-government, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to deliver government services, has been indicated, as a means to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. The increasing population of Liberia is exerting growing pressure on the government, specifically ministries that offer governmental services to citizens. In response to these challenges, e-government appeared as a promising solution to minimize the huge influx of citizens at those government-offering services ministries by creating a system where citizens can apply for the services online instead of the traditional way, which requires manual filing of paper works and processing of citizens application which takes time and resources. By developing an e-government system where the task can be fully automated will not only affect the citizens application process but also enhance the country’s economy by generating more revenues and reducing factors that affect climate change. This forms part of objective two. This study explores the key factors driving the adoption of e-government such as technologies, policy frameworks, and societal readiness. Implementation of the e-government portal requires technologies like high-speed internet connections and data centers that allow citizens/ users to access the system seamlessly and get time response from the server. Policy frameworks are required to safeguard users’ sensitive data uploaded to the system. Societal readiness requires creating digital literacy programs and workshops to orientate users about how technologies and the system works. Without the societal readiness of the population, there will be a huge problem with implementing the system. Findings from this study suggest that while e-government has the potential to, significantly improve service delivery and governance, its success depends on a range of factors including political will, public-private partnerships, and ongoing efforts to ensure accessibility and inclusivity. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers on enhancing the adoption and effectiveness of e-government systems, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies that respond to the evolving digital landscape.