info@penplusbytes.org

Publications

Survival Strategies and Ideas for Newsroom

 

This book is the outcome of informed perspectives on the application of new digital technologies in the newsroom. It summarily provides insight into the "Future of News" by highlighting current and future trends needed to stay relevant in today's news generation and dissemination process. The important newsrooms concepts emphasized include Wearables technologies, the place of Newspaper in a technology driven space, Key trends in the newsroom and Ghana's place on the Global stage of Digital Media. The Chapters are a compilation of a series of articles written to mark Penplusbytes "Future of News" Forum in Accra on August 28th 2015 and are well organized to help readers acquire some useful background on new technologies in the news world as prelude to a more concerted effort to get the Ghanaian news ecosystem to embrace the future.

Penplusbytes Social Media Index Report

 

This SMI report takes a look at the performance of established newspapers, radio and TV stations in Ghana regarding their activity and following on social media as at February 8th, 2016. Essentially, this report measures how these media entities utilize their online platforms to reach out and engage their target audience by employing a quantitative research module. The module provides relevant numerical figures which informs the rankings.

Collection of Web 2.0 Products and Services

 

There is no standard definition for web 2.0. We can however look at it is a cluster of new ideas describing innovations and changes linked to the web, it clear that most Web-based software and services are often referred to collectively as Web 2.0. At this juncture we shall attempt to provide some collection of web 2.0 Products and Services

Cool Tools for ICT Journalism

 

Welcome to tools of our trade. We furnish you with useful information about some of the latest ICT tools you can use in ICT Journalism.

ICT Journalism Bibliography

 

This paper shares a list of sources that could be used in your research work on various areas of journalistic interest.

Drones for Development in Ghana

 

Ghana has over the years made tremendous progress towards achieving accelerated development with the use of ICT and one of such ICT landmarks is the introduction and usage of drones in Ghana. Also referred to as Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), drones have generally had a sinister image, mainly due to its use by the military to track enemy combatants. Drones currently have key roles in aerial photographs and videos, real estate photography, elections monitoring, remote sensing, automated package delivery, and search and rescue in humanitarian response. Its application has also been seen in the area of E-Commerce order fulfillment/delivery, Territorial surveillance, Vessel traffic monitoring and Vessel Surveillance. However, improvements in technology and lowering cost has led to the remodeling of drones to have development applications to contribute in growth in sectors such as health, agriculture, security, road safety and traffic management; natural resource management, aerial photography, 3-D mapping; search and rescue, among others. It is against this background that Penplusbytes hosted the 2nd Technology Salon dubbed: “Technology Salon – Accra: How Can Drones Accelerate Ghana’s Development?” where it was realized that drones will play important role in Ghana’s development due to its myriad of areas of applications in almost every aspect of national life. This publication seeks to highlights the importance of drones and the opportunities its usage may present to the Ghanaian economy and beyond.

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Established on the 18th of July 2001 as a non-profit organisation, Penplusbytes is committed to enhancing governance by deepening citizen’s participation through ICT. Penplusbytes’ overarching philosophy is that establishing effective working relationships with governments, parliaments, corporate organisations, donors, international organisations, non-profits organisations and citizens is the key to being relevant and delivering value.

The organisation currently organises its work around three thematic areas namely;

  1. Extractives (Mining, Oil and Gas)
  2. New Media and Innovations and
  3. The use of New Digital Technologies to drive Good Governance and Transparency.

Vision:

To be the leading institution for promoting effective governance using technology in Africa.

Mission:

Promoting effective governance by deploying technology that enhances participation. 

Strategy:

Click to download the doc: Penplusbytes Strategic Plan 2016-2021 

Values:  

The values and guiding principles that are promoted and staff of Penplusbytes must epitomise includes:

  • PROFESSIONALISM:  We are committed to excellence in providing the best possible services to our clients in a responsive and non-partisan way. We favour a collaborative approach in order to achieve sustainable results and added value.  
  • INGENUITY:  We seek and embrace new approaches for service delivery and strive to develop innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by our clients, while leveraging the experience, expertise and creativity of our staff and partners.
  • VALUING PEOPLE: We are respectful and fair with our colleagues, clients and partners while recognizing the importance of diversity and open communication.
  • HIGH STANDARDS:  We aim for excellence in service delivery and in all the work that we or our partners commit to do. We constantly apply new learning to the way we do things and apply resources to achieving outstanding results every time.
  • TRANSPARENCY:  We are transparent and accountable in the work that we do, applying the highest level of integrity and trust in dealing with all of our partners and clients. We accept individual and team responsibility for our actions and for the results of our projects and programs.
  • Promoting media pluralism and good governance in Africa using new digital technologies.