Press Release: Entries Open for Innovative Ideas to Stimulate Tech4Governance - 60,000 USD up for Grabs

In order to seek innovative ideas which expands the interest and efforts of using new digital technologies to aid good governance and greater citizens participation in governance processes, Penplusbytes and Making All Voices Count (MAVC) will host a pitching competition dubbed; #Tech4Governance at New Media Hub, Accra- Ghana on May 30th 2015; focusing on two key areas of “Improved Public Service Delivery and better “Electoral Process”. This will see up to 10 innovators being selected to pitch, and from which winners will get support to develop their ideas with the most innovative idea receiving grant of up to $60,000.

The 10 selected finalists will participate at the pitching competition in Accra, Ghana, where they will pitch their idea to a panel of judges; 1 – 2 winners of the competition will get incubation support for their ideas from Making All Voices Count, with mentoring. This package will include preparation for potential innovation grants of up to $60,000 down the line, depending on first, the development of a proposal strong enough to warrant a grant and second, the demonstration of their capacity to successfully implement. Winners will have access to mentoring support, international networking and related tools and resources through Making All Voices Count’s South to South Lab.

Aimed at attracting solid ideas and solutions to improving service delivery or electoral processes in Ghana, the competition is opened to receiving applications from Ghanaian entities: companies, government actors, non-profits, for-profits, education establishments, NGOs and individuals who have bright ideas carved along the definitive thematic areas of ‘Improved Service Delivery’ and bettering ‘Electoral Processes.’

‘Improved Service Delivery,’   will focus on the use of technology to increase accountability and responsiveness of District, Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies; use technology to strengthen feedback mechanisms from duty bearers at the local and district level; strengthen and promote the use and adoption of ICT tools in government ministries, departments and agencies. Under this category, entries must also exhibit the ability to promote citizens engagement and government accountability through open data and information sharing; making effective use of technology to ‘make all voices count’ through active engagement of women and/or marginalized groups or communities.

On the other hand, entries submitted for the ‘Electoral Processes’ theme must address the following; use of technology and innovation for voter registration, voter identification and voter verification processes; use of technology for election monitoring at district and national level; use of technology to allow citizens to vet the electoral process including gaps in voter registration; use of technology to allow media organizations effectively monitor and cover electoral processes at national and district level.

According to Ms. Juliet Amoah, Strategic Director of Penplusbytes, The competition seeks innovative ideas that aim at improving service delivery or electoral processes in Ghana. “We highly encourage entities from Ghana to apply: companies, government actors, non-profits, for-profits, education establishments, NGOs or individuals,” she said.

Apply now and input your ideas into making Ghana a better place by contributing to improving public service delivery which affects every citizens and better electoral process which is a bedrock of democracy and to which new digital technologies present an unparalleled opportunity.

Applications are now opened and closes on 17^th May and at 23:59 GMT. Competition finalists will be announced on May 22^nd, 2015 with the pitching session slated for May 30^th, 2015.

ABOUT

Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to empower the media through the use of Information and Communications Technology to advance journalism in the coverage of governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and mining, oil and gas.

Making All Voices Count (MAVC) is an international initiative that contributes towards effective governance and accountability by enabling citizen engagement and open, responsive government in 12 countries in Africa and Asia.