1. Improving internet usage and access in Ghana: NITA’s Interventions and the complementary roles of CSOs National IT Agency, Ghana By Eric Akumiah Director of Operations & Support

2. About NITA The National Information Technology Agency (NITA) established by Act 771 passed by the Parliament of Ghana in December, 2008 Government IT Agency under Ministry of Communications responsible for the implementation of e-Government. Tasked with the objectives of : regulating the provision of information communications technology, ensuring the provision of quality information communications technology, promoting standards of efficiency in ICT and ensuring high quality of ICT services National IT Agency, Ghana

3. About NITA Ensuring the integration of ICT into government business processes, to achieve greater efficiency and effective service delivery to citizens Ensuring significant cost reduction in the provision and maintenance of ICT infrastructure and services by leveraging economies of scale (Shared ICT Services) Ensuring accessibility and convenience of Government services by leveraging ICTs Ensuring the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Electronic Transactions Act 2008 NITA’s responsibilities include the following: National IT Agency, Ghana

4. About NITA Projects undertaken by NITA Includes Projects undertaken by NITA Includes: ICT Policy Framework for MDAs Government Interoperability Framework (e- GIF) E-Government network backbone Infrastructure and data centres Standards Development / Pilot Websites eServices for Business Registration, Marriage, Estate Administration, tax administration and other Shared Services Government PKI Certified Email and Digital Signatures Pilot Project E-Immigration, E-Parliament, e-Justice, e- Procurement, e-Health Biometric Passport Project Implementation Many others National IT Agency, Ghana

5. Evolution of e-Government Strategy -1 14 Pillars All sectors Address 2003 ICT4AD Adopted Legal framework and enabling environment Design of eGhana Project 2006 Preparatory Work for e-Government NITA ACT (771 Electronic Transaction ACT (772) Electronic Communication ACT (775) NCA ACT (769) 2008 Legal Instruments enacted National IT Agency, Ghana

6. Backbone Infrastructure Rollout Pilot Datacenter Pilot e-services E-payment infrastructure 2009 e-Gov Phase I Expansion of Backbone Infrastructure Automation of government Business processes Expanding e-Service Open Government Initiative Data Protection Act 2012 e-Gov Phase II Defining Citizens Digital Image Strengthening Open Data Improving e-Services Expanding access to schools Supporting Data Commission 2014e-Transform Evolution of e-Government Strategy -2 National IT Agency, Ghana

7. 201020112012 Metropolitan Area Network – Seat of Government and Ministries Enclave WiMAX Wireless Network (30 BTS) – Access at all Regional Capital and some district capitals Pilot Data Center – Shared shares, Internet Services and e-services platform 11 pilot e-Service platforms - Passport, birth & Death, DVLA, Police, NCA etc GeGOV Tax administration e- services - Online Tax Management E- Parliament, e-Justice and e-Immigration E-payment platformRegistry Project …Progressing National IT Agency, Ghana

8. Citizens Services Available Business registration Marriage registration Birth & Death registration Communication Service licensing Police CID Background Search Passport renewal Drivers’ and Vehicle License Renewal 201020112012 National IT Agency, Ghana

9. eService Portal eService Portal http://www.eservices.gov.gh National IT Agency, Ghana

10. Government Services Available Shared Services – Workflow, Active directory Internet Services – email, hosting Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Storage as a Service (StaaS Storage as a Service (StaaS) Internet Access Services Data Access Services 201020112012 National IT Agency, Ghana

11. 201120122013 MAN Expansion Two more 4Gbps Rings Eastern Corridor Fiber 738 Km Fiber 27 Districts Covered Managed services ALU Manage Pilot and all DCs, Backbone 1-Stop Service Center Provide all Support to Gov Services LTE Upgrade & Expansion Upgrade Wimax Add 30 BTS National & secondary DC Complete National & Secondary DC Infrastructure …Progressing National IT Agency, Ghana

12. National Datacenter Infrastructure National IT Agency, Ghana

13. 201120122013 Correspondenc e / Document Management Systems Automating Gov. Correspon dence and Document Manag. Intranet for MDAs Enhance Governme nt Work Efficiency Gov. Web Standards Ensure Uniform Web standards with Gov. Public Key Infrastructure Ensure Secure Intra-gov. Correspon dence Payment Gateway Ensure Citizen can pay for Gov. services online Open Data Ensure Citizens feedback for enhanced efficiency E-Applications …Progressing National IT Agency, Ghana

14. Ghana Electronic Payment Platform National IT Agency, Ghana

15. Critical National Internet Infrastructure National IT Agency, Ghana

16. CERT-GH (National CERT) National IT Agency, Ghana

17. National IPv6 Task Force National IT Agency, Ghana

18. Focus of E-Transform Change way Administrator Work Define citizen digital Identity and responsible use of Cyberspace Improve Citizen Services Empower Citizen for feedback Improve ICT use in Education Citizens’ Digital identity Data commission Open Data Schools Infrastructur e Teachers’ Education Portal Digitization e-services e-services 201320142015 Ghana’s E-Transform Program 2015 - 2020 Planned National IT Agency, Ghana

19. Ghana Open Data Initiative (GODI) Started by NITA in January 2012 Objective is to create a open data community and a national data portal for Ghana to empower citizens for feedback on governance National IT Agency, Ghana

20. GODI Development Process Community Development Engage Sector Communities through the portal Engaged Citizens through portal, social media and media outreach Portal Enhancement Incorporate Data Analytic & Apps Development Incorporate Linked Data & Enhanced Data Visualization Initial Portal Development Setup Data Catalogue and data visualizationSetup Communities facility National IT Agency, Ghana

21. GODI Demand & Supply Open Data Portal Civil Soc. & Journalist Citizens Developers Gov. Supply Side Demand Side National IT Agency, Ghana

22. Developing the Community Supply Side Data Education ( around data principle and Government Use) Data Management Capacity Building Technical training of data Controllers for Incorporation of Workflow Demand Side Data Education (around Citizen Empowerment ) Data Relevance Discussions (Citizen Centric Data) Boot Camps and Apps Challenges National IT Agency, Ghana National Open Data Policy

23. GODI & Citizens Empowerment Citizen Empowerment Tracking and mapping tools and systems to allow citizens examine government activities and expenditure s GODI allows governments to reach out and incorporate the perspectives and ideas of citizens in decision-making and policy-making. Medium of Empowerment Web Apps (Maps, Charts, Graphs) Native Mobile Apps Citizens’ Access Via Mobile PhonesPublic libraries across Ghana National IT Agency, Ghana

24. Current Status National IT Agency, Ghana Portal with Data set, Data Visualization and communities engines fully functional Data collection and upload in progress, Citizen centric Apps in development

25. Expected Benefit of GODI mproved Public Service Improved Public Service Increased citizen participation and inclusion through extended offers of services closer to people’s needs Closer cooperation between central and local government Increased internal government efficiency and effectiveness Policy Development through Open Data Economic Development New opportunity for services to business and citizens using government data Better functioning of economy through easy access to core reference information Increased employment for application and service developers Transparency & Accountability Better informed and balanced journalism (“data journalism”) Behavior change due to the possibility of greater scrutiny Greater accountability of officials by citizens being able to see and challenge individual spending and purchasing decisions National IT Agency, Ghana

26. Visit our Website @ http://www.nita.gov.gh http://www.nita.gov.ghContact: info@nita.gov.gh francis.amevuvor@nita.gov.gh florence.adzayao@nita.gov.gh Phone: 0302-661777 National IT Agency, Ghana