As Ghana prepares for a crucial national election in December 2024, the need for initiatives that bolster democratic processes and empower citizens with comprehensive information to make informed choices has never been more pronounced.
In response to this critical need, Penplusbytes, through its esteemed African Elections Project, is launching the Ghana Elections 2024 Voters’ Compass Project in collaboration with VoteSwiper e.V., a German-based organization. Supported with the German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), zivik Funding Programme, this innovative project aims to equip Ghanaian voters with the tools and knowledge necessary to actively participate in the electoral process and contribute to credible, transparent elections 2024.
At the core of the Voters’ Compass project lies a user-friendly, dynamic online platform designed to empower citizens with a deeper understanding of political party manifestos and issues at stake. Mr. Jerry Sam, Executive Director of Penplusbytes, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “the deployment of this educative Voters’ Compass, will offer electorates an opportunity to dive deep into political party manifestos. The idea is to get electorates to focus on issues rather than personalities, which often leads to electoral disinformation that has the potential of bringing about violence and diluting electoral information.”
Distinguished by its unique features and approach, the Voters’ Compass offers a Tinder-style interface integrated with the VoteSwiper tool (www.voteswiper.org) , enabling users to respond to political questions with a simple swipe ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. This functionality facilitates the alignment of individual ideologies and aspirations with party promises, enabling voters to make well-informed decisions and hold elected officials accountable during the post-election era.
Matthias Bannert, Chairman of the Board VoteSwiper, noted “we are delighted to join forces with Penplusbytes to empower Ghanaian voters through the use of our VoteSwiper tool, to navigate the electoral landscape and make informed decisions that align with Ghanaian values and aspirations. Having successfully deployed VoteSwiper in national and local elections across various European nations, this marks our first venture on the African continent.”
Moreover, the Voters’ Compass stands out as a reliable source of information, mitigating the spread of fake news and disinformation by providing comprehensive insights into political party programs, candidate profiles, election procedures, and key issues. Through interactive elements such as chatbots, WhatsApp API, and social media integration, the platform fosters engagement and inclusivity, ensuring accessibility to a diverse range of citizens with content available in both English and up to four local languages.
Penplusbytes’ commitment to enhancing democracy extends beyond Ghana, with the organization’s extensive election coverage spanning over 17 African countries, including Liberia, Niger, and Kenya. Leveraging the innovative capabilities of the Voters’ Compass project, Penplusbytes is dedicated to advancing Ghana’s democratic landscape, promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the 2024 national electoral process.
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