The ICT for Development (ICT4D) national networks focus on the role of Information and Communication Technology in accelerating development in various sectors (education, health, rural livelihood and governance) in a country. This thematic brief describes the lessons learned from the IICD-supported National ICT4D Network in Ghana. It is intended for practitioners in the field who would like to learn from the experience of this network as well as organisations that would like to implement something similar to this.

The brief takes much of its learning from the Evaluation exercises that have been performed by the network, with the help of IICD and the local Evaluation partner Development Alternative Services Foundation (DASF) over the years. This Evaluation system consists on the one hand of questionnaires filled in anonymously by the members of the network on a yearly basis (a representative sample) and analyses of the data from these questionnaires: user profiles, use and satisfaction of services, and impact of the network. On the other hand, it consists of Focus Group meetings attended by members, Secretariat and Executive Council to reflect on the data and discuss successes, challenges and solutions. The brief has been elaborated in close collaboration with the network partner, the Ghana Information Network for Knowledge Sharing (GINKS). For more information on IICD in general, please refer to the last page.