The Dynamics of Information and Communication Technology in Oromia: The Case of Goro Woreda

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology is making the entire world as closer as human scale and nowadays it is becoming a hot government agenda. Thus, the Ethiopian government placed ICT policy to develop, deploy and use information and communication technology to improve the livelihood of every Ethiopian, and optimize its contribution to the development of the country. The objective of this study was therefore, to determine the challenges of ICT implementation in Oromia with specific reference to Goro Woreda. The study applied both qualitative and quantitative approach through concurrent mixed method. Primary and secondary data sources were used to collect relevant data. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed, described and explained by using descriptive statistics such as cross tabs, mode and chi-square test. Hence, the finding revealed that, though, some positive changes can be cited, the main challenges of ICT implementation in the study Woreda arre lack of managerial oversight, poor organizational integration, inoperative ICT equipment, poor  network, insufficient ICT professionals, lack of sufficient computer, and poor communication structure. Above all, the poor attention given to the ICT program was the root cause for majority of the challenges. Finally, the study concluded the services given through ICT were not adequate and the implementation of the program was not successful. From this, adequate managerial oversight and support and grass root level administrative support federal and regional concerned bodies is recommended.

Keywords: ICT, Video Conferencing, Server Mail Service and Rural Connectivity