Information Technology - Critical Issues
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Mr Hajie Goll-Chairman
Chairman Message
Welcome to the Information Technology Cluster of COLED! The resources within our cluster will lead you to a wide array of technological services that will be made available to support the building of cutting-edge technological deliverables in the public sector of the government of Liberia. The Information Technology Cluster operates under the direction of the Chairman who reports directly to the Interim Leadership under the direction of Dr. Robert G. Sherman.
The Information Technology Cluster will strive to support ubiquitous, integrated, and fully engaging learning experiences. We take a proactive and collaborative approach to deliver innovative, reliable, and sustainable technologies that optimize satisfaction and desired outcomes. Our services will provide support to the entire framework and mission of COLED in the following major functional areas: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary, Public Administration, Defense and National Security, Finance and Budgeting, Foreign Affairs, Public Safety, Health and Social Services, Education, Infrastructure and Development and Environmental Management, End-User Training and Support, Communications and Networking, and Systems Administration and Operation. This cluster is designed to be a customer-centered, responsive organization that is highly regarded by COLED, Cluster Members, Public and Private Partners, and International Partners.
Members
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About Information Technology Cluster
Approximately 75% of the Republic of Liberia workforce—work for state and local government entities. The majority of these work in state government (e.g., schools, police and fire departments, social service agencies, universities, Military, revenue agencies, state hospitals, etc.), and about a third in local government (e.g. county). While less than 10% work for private employers. Apart from mortgaging our natural resources and allowing the private sector to exploit our resources in the absence of technology infrastructural, Both the Government of Liberia and the private sector has been generally slower to adopt technology. Reasons for this include lack of funding, corruption, higher public scrutiny, complex contracting processes, lack of internal IT capacity, and agency fragmentation. The slow pace of technology adoption in some cases has led to both costly and cumbersome service provision.
The vision of this cluster shall be in line with COLED’s mission to alleviate poverty and improve the literacy rate and infrastructural development by laying the groundwork to implement digital government backed by policymaker. Greater use of technology by governments holds a lot of promise for both workers and the public: it can remove some of the time-consuming and glitchy processes that frustrate everyone, allow workers to focus on the complexity inherent in providing public services, make government more accessible to more people, and get assistance more quickly into the hands of people who need it.
Technology as a cost-saving measure must be implemented within a framework that recognizes the role public workers play in assessing whether systems are serving the people the programs are intended to serve.
The public sector covers an enormous set of occupations and activities, and technology plays many different roles within that landscape. This report sorts technologies into five overlapping categories:
Information Technology – Critical Issues
The Government of Liberia is in dire need of leveraging technology for various purposes, including e-governance, healthcare, education, economic development, etc. Initiatives range from digital payment systems to online education platforms, contributing to improved public services and connectivity. However, challenges like infrastructure limitations and digital divides persist, impacting the widespread adoption of technology across the country.
Liberia, like many African countries, has diverse technology needs. Key areas include:
- • Infrastructure Development
- • Education Technology
- • Healthcare Technology
- • Digital Financial Services
- • Agricultural Technology
- • E-Governance
- • Cybersecurity
- • Renewable Energy Technology
To tackle these problems, we would like to first address these challenges hindering technology advancement in Liberia: Lastly, addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, involving collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners to invest in infrastructure, education, and policy frameworks that support sustainable technology advancement in Liberia
- • Infrastructure Limitations
- • Limited Access to Electricity
- • Digital Divide
- • Financial Constraints
- • Educational Gaps
- • Cybersecurity Concerns
- • Regulatory Framework
Automate Government
- Manual task automation: technologies that replace physical processes or tasks performed by a person. This includes such technology as document scanners, mail sorting machines, digital printers, “smart” parking meters, transcription software, driverless transit, robotic vacuums, and automated toll collectors.
- Process automation: technologies that process information or automate interactions between workers and clients. This includes e-Government processes like online payments and benefit applications, as well as more complex automation such as customer service chatbots and “robotic process automation” (RPA). More complex process automation technologies may use artificial intelligence to “learn” from interactions, rather than relying entirely on human programming.
- Automated decision-making systems: the use of complex computer programming to replace or augment human decision-making. This group of technologies includes artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics. By processing large amounts of data and using human-programmed algorithms or more complex artificial intelligence, ADM systems generate decisions and assessments.
- Integrated data systems: integrated data systems and networked cloud storage allow vast amounts of public data to support automation and automated decision-making technologies, as well as provide public access to information about government activities and enable more robust performance evaluation and management.
- Electronic monitoring: technologies such as cameras and drones may be used to enforce laws or regulations and feed information into other government processes. Monitoring technologies built into software used by workers can also enable new forms of performance evaluation.
Online Public Services Delivery
As citizens expect the civic experience to be as simple and seamless as what they receive from the Government of Liberia’s public sector, COLED believes that digital services delivery should be prioritized by our government. What is this digital paradigm shift exactly? Digital government services (also called e-government) are defined as service delivery within government — as well as between government and the public — using information and communication technologies. Common digital services range from filing tax returns to renewing a driver’s license to applying for a passport etc. Nearly any government form or service can be offered digitally.
- E-Government: Utilizing digital technologies to enhance the delivery of government services, making them more accessible and efficient for citizens.
- Open Government Data: Providing public access to government data for increased transparency, accountability, and innovation.
- Digital Identity: Implementing secure digital identification systems for citizens, streamlining online interactions and transactions.
- Cybersecurity: Prioritizing robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive government data and systems from cyber threats.
- Smart Cities: Integrating technology to improve urban infrastructure and services, optimizing resource management, and enhancing quality of life.
- Blockchain in Government: Exploring the use of blockchain for secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping in various government processes.
- Artificial Intelligence in Governance: Leveraging AI for data analysis, decision-making, and improving overall efficiency in governmental operations.
- Digital Democracy: Engaging citizens through online platforms for participation in decision-making processes and policy development.
- Cloud Computing: Adopting cloud-based solutions for storage, collaboration, and scalability in government operations.
- Mobile Government (m-Government): Providing government services and information through mobile devices, catering to the increasing use of smartphones.
These paradigms collectively contribute to the evolution of digital government, enhancing responsiveness, accessibility, and effectiveness.
Others
Top Technology Trends in Government for 2023
Gartner predicts that by 2026, over 75% of governments will gauge digital transformation success by measuring enduring mission impact.
Opportunities
- 2023 brought no pause for government leaders and executives. Global turmoil, regional conflicts, and local pressures amplify the need to sustain and steer digital transformation investments toward policy priorities.
- Emerging “post-digital” government developments mean that investments are expected to show tangible impacts on the transformation of constituent services, the use of data for insights and decisions, and the modernization of digital infrastructures and information systems.
Government CIOs are pressured to prove the mission relevance and impact of their technology initiatives and capabilities — all while dealing with sector-specific challenges like low digital maturity, eroding citizen trust, scarcity of talent, and persistent difficulties in scaling innovation.
Cyber Security
The public sector holds a wide array of sensitive information, making it a highly sought target for cyber criminals. Government agencies’ data is attractive to hackers because its interwoven systems contain vast amounts of information from citizens and other organizations that are linked through a variety of platforms. In addition to this, the public sector’s information systems and technology are rapidly growing, with virtually offered resources and services also increasing. This development creates a demand for innovation and a need to secure database storage. As this storage becomes more complex, the government faces the challenge of developing technology to keep up, while covering any loopholes.
A cyber-attack to the public sector compromises public services and carries the consequence of a heavy financial toll on these publicly funded agencies. In such incidents, the public sector also must follow public disclosure stipulations. When these targeted cyber-attacks occur, they can gain notoriety through media exposure and likewise motivate “copycat” criminals. To ensure proper security against these potential attacks, COLED will lay down the groundwork and proper foundation to education on the top cyber threats facing the public sector.
The core values of our cluster are as follow:
- Service Excellence – Being responsive, respectful, and delivering needed solutions.
- Reliability – Utilizing robust technologies to satisfy our user base.
- Innovation – Advancing the state of technology within the University to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Security – Implementing measures and systems designed to securely protect and safeguard personal and institutional information.
Lastly, I am committed to carefully analyzing the ambitious goals proposed by each cluster member and to holding discussions with members to support the achievement of these goals. My own goal is to create a place where diversity is recognized, all kinds of opinions can be expressed, and members have an ongoing sense of optimism and personal growth. Accordingly, I will fulfill my responsibilities as Chairman of the Information Technology Cluster with a view to realizing this goal and creating friendly work environments of which members can be proud.