Constraints to Automating Public Sector Service Deliveries in Ghana: The Example of Permit Acquisition and Detection of Unauthorized Building Processes in Metropolitan Assemblies

Abstract

Automated public services have brought enormous benefits to many countries; yet developing countries have not fully exploited its benefits owing to certain barriers and Ghana is no exception to this. This research explores the factors militating against automating permit acquisition and detection of unauthorized building processes in Metropolitan Assemblies in Ghana, using the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly as a case study, and come out with measures to curb them. This survey used questionnaires to collect data from 75 respondents; data was analyzed using Relative Importance Analysis. The survey revealed that barriers to automating permit acquisition and detection of unauthorized building processes in the Metropolis were Political, Educational, Cultural, Social, Administrative, Economical, Legislative and Technological barriers; with political barriers contributing most to the phenomena whiles technological barriers were relatively the least contributing barrier.This paper will help local authorities in policy formulation to curb barriers to automating public services.

Keywords: Automating, Unauthorized Buildings, Permit, Barriers and Questionnaire.