Should Governments Focus More On Open Source Instead of Established Vendors?
Open source could save governments money and allow for more flexibility
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Last year, Switzerland enforced a policy that officially required all government software to be open-source.
The mandate also requires all public bodies to disclose the source code of software developed by or for them unless third-party rights or security concerns prevent it.
Should more countries, especially African countries like Ghana, adopt the same approach? The argument for government adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) is compelling.
e-Gov in Ghana
Ghana has tried implementing software in the public sector for citizens to make operations more efficient. The Ghana.Gov seems to be the best case study so far.
But in the past, other initiatives haven’t fared so well.
The Office of Registered Companies (formerly Registrar General Department) has failed to launch its online registration system despite stating it would have a new system up and running in Q1 2024.
Although launched with much fanfare, 62% of public agencies are not using the current Digital Address System.
The Case for OSS
Adoption of OSS has lots of benefits for governments including saving costs.
One of France’s largest cities saved €1 million annually by migrating all its workstations to open-source software, specifically using LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office.
OSS is also flexible, allowing governments to tailor solutions to their specific needs. This adaptability is vital for African countries with unique challenges and requirements that off-the-shelf software may not address adequately.
The Brazilian government’s adoption of open-source software enabled them to customize systems for public administration, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on foreign software vendors.
Better Security?
With OSS, the source code is open for scrutiny, which can lead to more secure software. A community of developers can identify and fix vulnerabilities swiftly, whereas proprietary software relies on the vendor’s timeline and transparency.
Studies show that the Linux operating system, a popular open-source OS, had significantly fewer security vulnerabilities than proprietary systems like Windows.
Drawbacks
Like most open-source projects, OSS requires active and continuous management to patch these vulnerabilities.
Governments must also navigate the legal landscape of open-source licenses, which can vary widely and may impose certain obligations on users.
Another issue is integrating OSS with existing government systems. Compatibility issues may arise, requiring additional resources to ensure seamless operation across different platforms.