Post-Covid-19 pandemic extension delivery: A systematic review of E-extension services prospects in Ghana

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the limitations of the traditional, in-person agricultural extension services in Ghana. This systematic review investigates the potential and readiness of Ghana to adopt digital agricultural extension services (E-extension) in the post-pandemic era. Employing the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools, we analyzed institutional and journal articles from 2010 to 2022. Our findings reveal a rapidly growing telecommunication sector in Ghana, with mobile phone usage and ICT adoption exceeding the Sub-Saharan Africa average. This digital infrastructure creates a promising foundation for public E-extension initiatives. However, the review emphasizes the critical need to integrate digital strategies with existing methods to ensure inclusive and effective reach, particularly for marginalized communities. Ultimately, this review highlights the untapped potential of leveraging ICT advancements for resilient and accessible E-extension services in Ghana, offering a transformative pathway for agricultural extension in the post-pandemic era.

Keywords

• COVID-19 pandemic
• ICT
• Farmer
• Agriculture
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Mobile phone