Poor governance, weak institutions, systemic corruption, and inadequate budgetary allocation make access to health and education services in Ghana a critical problem especially for vulnerable groups. In a bid to build an informed citizenry who are equipped with the appropriate digital tools to demand better service delivery within the framework of political and social accountability, Penplusbytes, is organizing a one-day Social Accountability & Economic Justice Clearing Platform forum scheduled for 23rd August 2022 at the AITI-Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence at Ridge, Accra.
The forum forms part of the implementation of Penplusbytes’ 2-year “HERE (Health, Education, Resource Equity) and Now” Project, which seeks to equip ordinary citizens with usable information via the #ShortChanged mobile app mashed-up with social media to promote their purposeful participation in demanding accountability and responsiveness from decision makers for effective public service delivery. The project is being implemented in Ghana and Mali in partnership with ID-Sahel in Mali and funded by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).
This forum is aimed at increasing the contribution of civil society in promoting accountability by state and public service providers through mandated representation and advocacy on health and education issues which are of great concern to citizens and has impact on their social lives.
The forum will provide the opportunity for social accountability actors to come out with common issues for a concerted advocacy on better service delivery in the selected social intervention policies by government.
According to Mr. Jerry Sam, the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, “the stakeholder Clearing Platform on Social Accountability will discuss the existing social accountability approaches and their associated advantages and challenges as well as the role of ICT tools in facilitating social accountability.”
“Key outcomes of the meeting include sensitization of stakeholders on the level of implementation of the selected policies, finding solutions to challenges and gaps identified in the implementation of social protection policies in Ghana and garnering support in the drive to ensure there is value for money in the implementation of the various policies”, Mr. Sam added.
The event will bring together Ministries, Agencies, Departments, and other civil society organizations in the social accountability space.
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About Penplusbytes
Established in 2001, Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa working in 4 areas: governance and accountability, new media and innovations; the extractive sector as well as Climate Change and wellbeing. Our vision is to be the leading institution for promoting effective governance using technology in Africa which is anchored on our mission of promoting effective governance by deploying technology that enhances participation.
About ID Sahel
Birthed in the year 2000, has produced achievements with increasing returns and impact in the following areas: Democratic Governance, Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, Rural Development and Integrated Management, and Vocational Training.
About OSIWA
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa is active in 10 countries in the region (Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone) and focuses on law, justice and human rights, and economic and political governance. The initiative pursues the development of open societies by supporting and building partnerships with local and regional groups that promote inclusive democratic governance, transparency and accountability, and active citizenship.
