Volume 15, No 1, 2018
Evaluating Metropolitan Assembly Web Sites in Ghana: Accessibility, Compatibility and Usability
Ebenezer Agbozo and Kamen Spassov
Abstract
In recent years, metropolitan assemblies in Ghana have undergone population increase due to urbanization (rural-urban migration). As a conduit for engaging residents, local governments all over the world are leveraging on web sites to provide e-services for citizens and residents so as to establish communication, trust and accountability. Quality web sites are crucial in user retention and user participation. Using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) heuristics and the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards, this paper analyses content professionalism and public outreach of the web sites of four out of Ghana’s six metropolitan assemblies. The study evaluates the selected web sites by utilizing an automated web testing technique, mobile-friendliness and usability test, and content observation technique. The study proposes a Double Evaluation Technique (DET) for assessing web sites. The study uncovers shortcomings with regards to non-compliance to international web standards. Finally results, practical implications and recommendations are discussed. The results of this study contain implications for e-government stakeholders, precisely government web designers and developers. Ultimately, the study emphasizes on the need for policymakers at the metropolitan level to encourage frequent web site evaluation so as to be up to date with the fast changing web landscape.
Pages: 46-60
Keywords: Double evaluation technique; Ghana; Metropolitan; Automated evaluation tools; Web site accessibility; Web site usability; e-Government; Heuristics