Penplusbytes Hold 2nd Forum on Data Journalism for Improved Maternal Health

In recognition of the need for sustained efforts in exploring means to press on in demanding better quality of service from health officials and efficient allocation of funds from Government to improve maternal healthcare in Ghana, the International Institute of ICT Journalism – Penplusbytes, with support from STAR-Ghana, is holding a one day CSOs, Media and Health practitioners’ forum at the De Mork Hotel in Hohoe, Volta Region, on October 15th, 2014. The forum, which is the 2nd of its kind by Penplusbytes, is aimed at creating the needed collaborative platform for direct engagement between members of the media, health officials and other key stakeholder bodies. Ultimately, this forum is expected to draw their participation in holding responsive agencies and structures accountable in the expenditure and delivery of improved Maternal Healthcare. Chaired by Ms Charity Binka, lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Executive Secretary of the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) and a Women development advocate, the one day participatory engagement platform will have in special attendance, Dr. Mrs Margaret Kweku, MCE of Hohoe Municipal; delivering the keynote address, Dr Joseph Nuertey, Regional Driector of the Ghana Health Service (Volta Region) and Dr. Francis Zotor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) among other major stakeholders will also share expert views on maternal healthcare delivery in the region. According to Kwami Ahiabenu II, President of Penplusbytes, “this one-day forum falls under the ‘Open Ghana - Data Journalism for Improved Maternal Healthcare Delivery’ project designed by Penplusbytes to broaden the knowledge scope and equip the media in the use of techniques in data-driven journalism to tell impactful stories that reveal the various dynamics of maternal healthcare delivery in four districts in the Volta region – Ho, Hohoe, Kpando and South Dayi. The project looks to exploit available, innovative strategies for evidence-based advocacy in maternal healthcare delivery.” He also added that “the key to recording measurable success in achieving the country’s MDG5 target lies not in disjointed singular efforts by either Government, Civil Society, Journalists or duty bearers in the health sector but through finding that common ground and shared goal of ensuring accountability and efficiency in the utilization of resources for improved maternal healthcare within the targeted districts and the region as a whole.” ABOUT Established in 2001, Penplusbytes is a leading organization in Africa working in 3 areas: governance and accountability, new media and innovations as well as oil, gas and mining. It consists of a network of media organizations and journalists interested in using ICTs to effectively advance high quality journalism. STAR-Ghana is a multi- donor pooled funding mechanism (Funded by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID) to increase the influence of civil society and Parliament in the governance of public goods and service delivery, with the ultimate goal of improving the accountability and responsiveness of Ghana’s government, traditional authorities and the private sector.