Biometric Identification for Socioeconomic Development in Ghana

ABSTRACT

This paper draws on interpretive case study methodology and e-government enactment framework to understand Ghana’s biometric identification initiative implementation and its failure to achieve the intended socioeconomic development impacts. To better understand how such initiatives can be deployed to achieve the desired impacts, the findings on the reasons for the failed Ghana’s case are compared with that of a successful developing country’s case. The study offers contributions to research, policy and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Biometric identification
• socioeconomic development
• interpretive case study
• e-government enactment framework
• developing country
• Ghana

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Effah

John Effah is an Associate Professor of Information Systemsat the University of Ghana Business School. His research interests span areas of digital innovation and biometric systems in developing countries. John Holds a Ph.D. in information systems from the University of Salford in Manchester, UK and MBA MIS and BSc in Business Administration (Accounting Option) with First Class Honours both from University of Ghana. John serves onthe editorial boards of Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries and African Journal of Information Systems as a Deputy Editor-in-Chief. He is also an ICT Consultant.

Emmanuel Owusu-Oware

Emmanuel Owusu-Oware is an information systems practitioner with over 20 years of experience as an IT manager and consultant. He holds a Ph.D. in information systems from the University of Ghana; MBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Ghana and Vrije Universitéit Brussels; BSc in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Telecommunications major) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. His current research interests are in the areas of e-government and biometric systems in developing countries. He has also lectured in information systems on a part-time basis at the University of Ghana and the Central University.

Richard Boateng

Richard Boateng is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the University of Ghana Business School. He is also the Head of the Department of Operations and Management Information Systems at the Business School. Richard’s research experience covers the digital economy, digital platforms, e-business, and ICT for Development. His papers have been published in the International Journal of Information Management, Internet Research, Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, and many others.