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$60,000 up for innovative ideas to stimulate Tech4Governance

$60,000 up for innovative ideas to stimulate Tech4Governance

Two not-for-profit bodies have announced the availability of a grant of $60,000 to be awarded any Ghanaian individual or group that provides the most innovative idea in the use of new digital technologies to aid good governance.

Penplusbytes (the International Institute for ICT Journalism) and Making All Voices Count (MAVC – an international initiative that contributes towards effective governance and accountability in 12 countries in Africa and Asia), the two institutions collaborating to unearth the Ghanaian genius, say applications are now opened till midnight of May 17, 2015, for the best ICT-based ideas on the two key areas of “Improved Public Service Delivery” and better “Electoral Process”.

Ten selected applicants who contribute the best ideas will be announced on May 22, 2015 to participate in a pitching competition dubbed #Tech4Governance which will be held at the New Media Hub, near the Ako Adjei Park, Osu, Accra on May 30, 2015.

The eventual winner with the most innovative solution, will be picked at the event by a panel of judges and provided incubation support, mentoring, international networking and related tools and resources to develop his idea, a statement by the two bodies said, assuring also that a second competitor with an equally compelling solution could also be afforded a grant support.

“‘Improved Service Delivery,’ will focus on the use of technology to increase accountability and responsiveness of District, Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies; use technology to strengthen feedback mechanisms from duty bearers at the local and district level; strengthen and promote the use and adoption of ICT tools in government ministries, departments and agencies. Under this category, entries must also exhibit the ability to promote citizens engagement and government accountability through open data and information sharing; making effective use of technology to ‘make all voices count’ through active engagement of women and/or marginalized groups or communities.

“On the other hand, entries submitted for the ‘Electoral Processes’ theme must address the following; use of technology and innovation for voter registration, voter identification and voter verification processes; use of technology for election monitoring at district and national level; use of technology to allow citizens to vet the electoral process including gaps in voter registration; use of technology to allow media organizations effectively monitor and cover electoral processes at national and district level.”

According to Ms Juliet Amoah, Strategic Director of Penplusbytes, the competition seeks innovative ideas that aim at improving service delivery or electoral processes in Ghana. “We highly encourage entities from Ghana to apply: companies, government actors, non-profits, for-profits, education establishments, NGOs or individuals,” she said.

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