Members of the parliamentary select committee on Government Assurances have benefitted from an orientation programme on using new digital tools to engage with the Ghanaian public.
Facilitated by Penplusbytes, otherwise called the International Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Journalism, and supported by STAR-Ghana, the orientation formed part of the implementation process of the novel project, "Providing Effective Feedback for Parliamentary Work through new digital technologies" designed to enhance parliament's oversight role of holding government to account through evidence based information.
The project incorporates feedback provided by citizens using technology platforms on selected assurances and promises made by government, and will be launched by the Speaker of Parliament on May, 15, 2014 in Takoradi.
The programme which took place at Dodowa in the Greater Accra region, had members of the GAC taken through the latest addition to the multiplicity of the cutting edge technological tools and equipment including mobile applications and SMS that enhance citizens' engagement.
GAC Members were shown how online platforms could collate and aggregate citizens' feedback on specific stages of implementation of government promises and assurances especially in the health and education sectors in various parts of the country.
"The broad aim of this project is to ensure a lasting participatory democracy by continually empowering the public through new media tools and technology to access relevant information concerning government activities, deepen awareness on government assurances, easily engage with political actors and also make meaningful inputs into the political system," Kwami Ahiabenu II, President of Penplusbytes said.
The 14-month long project which began in November 2013, is intended to provide easy and accessible information on government assurances, create citizen awareness on selected government assurances through forums, public sittings and media engagement as well as provide a platform for citizen based advocacy on service delivery projects to ensure government delivers on its mandate for the benefit of citizens and Ghana as a whole.
Source : See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/politics/22913-penplusbytes-tutors-parliamentary-committee-in-digital-technologies.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#sthash.W5nzwB8z.CneJubsV.dpuf
International Institute for ICT Journalism
www.penplusbytes.org
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