Penplusbytes launches Ada Grassroot Open Government Project
In a move to improve transparency, accountability and civic participation to ensure that public resources especially at the grassroots are used efficiently, Penplusbytes with funding from Making All Voices Count (MAVC), has launched the “Grassroots Open Government Using New Digital Tools” project at Dorgwam – Ada, in the Ada East District Assembly of the Greater Accra Region.
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The project is aimed at enhancing communication and information sharing between citizens and the local government.
According to Jerry Sam, the Director of Projects at Penplusbytes, the project was being implemented in in the Ada East District in Greater Accra and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly in the Northern Region.
The move is to promote transparency and accountability at the community level in Ghana as well as help to promote effective, responsive and responsible governance, and better public service delivery.
“A key expected outcome of the project is to deliver an improved and well informed government actors on the nature, depth and quality of information demanded by citizens, using appropriate technology to achieve better communication and monitoring between them.” Jerry Sam said at the launch.
The project which will focus on simplifying the development plan and budgets of the district assemblies will also highlight service delivery in the areas of health, sanitation and education.
Through a collaborative and integrated approach, the project will make use of an integrated set of tested tools such as an interactive online platform integrated with mobile applications and text messages.
This would ensure that people can not only access District Assembly development projects and plans online at www.opengov.org.gh but contribute to the district development plan and help track and monitor projects from the comfort of their homes.
All they would need to do is send messages to toll free SMS code by prefixing GOV to 7000-MTN and 1904 to all other networks as well as the whatsapp numbers 024 199 5737/027 984 8444 and phone in sessions on Radio Ada, a community radio.
Taking his turn to address the launch, Togbe G.Y Gadzekpo, Ada East District Coordinating Director, stated that “We have not quite gotten nearer to the level Ghana wants to reach as afar as local government is concern but we are still making the effort. The challenge seriously lies on those at the grassroots level to make sure that their voices are heard and are part and parcel of how they are governed.”
He also commended Penplusbytes and Making All Voices Count (MAVC) for their support and selecting the District for this laudable project.
On her part, Gontse Legong, Governance Programme Officer at MAVC, said the “Grassroots Open Government Using New Digital Tools” will ensure citizens at the local level have a voice in how resources allocated for development are prudently utilised to eradicate poverty and stimulate wealth creation.”
The launch brought together, assembly members, unit committee members, community members, NCCE, opinion leaders, community based organisations (CBOs) and stakeholders in health, sanitation and education from the Ada East District Assembly in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
A re-launch of the project is scheduled to take place in Tamale on September 10, 2015.