Penplusbytes Partners EIB Network For Elections 2016 Coverage

Penplusbytes and Excellence in Broadcasting (EIB) Ghana have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly cover the Ghana 2016 elections under Penplusbytes’ African Elections Project (AEP)

The African Elections Project after successfully covering more than 35 elections in over 14 African countries including Ghana will, ahead of and during the November 2016 polls, undertake a series of joint activities with EIB Ghana to support a free and fair elections. This will include such activities as data journalism trainings which are aimed at improving the ability of journalists and the news media to provide more timely and relevant elections information and knowledge.

A radio media campaign will also be executed to ensure incidents of election irregularities or occasions of violence reach a wider audience besides the national security task force, the electoral commission and other election stakeholders if the need arises. Another aspect of the project is code named the “Ghana Elections Record”. Under this, an interactive online and mobile based system will be deployed which would track and verify key campaign promises made by candidates. The output of this platform will be amplified on radio and on social media.

With its youth brand- Live FM, EIB Ghana and Penplusbytes will promote active participation of the youth in the electoral process. Short videos to be distributed via WhatsApp and social media will highlight key steps in the electoral process to empower first time voters especially.

According to the executive director of Penplusbytes, Kwami Ahiabenu II, “this partnership is indeed timely especially as the hype in the political space of the country mounts each day ahead of the November polls. This agreement is definitely in line with our vision of being the leading body for promoting effective governance using technology in Africa”.

The group managing editor of EIB Ghana, Eyram Bashan, admitted the vital role the media plays in the choosing of a president and parliamentarians. She reiterated that EIB Ghana is poised to raise the bar of serving quality and globally competitive content to audiences while serving the noble interest of the public’s right to know.

“Our partnership with Penplusbytes is another giant leap towards the goal of providing a holistic media coverage of the upcoming polls. Using our media resources including talents and spread we are partnering another strong and credible brand in election monitoring in Ghana to radicalize the way we gather the news, package and serve our teeming and varied audiences. This is to empower voters to take charge of the processes that determine their next set of rulers.” She said.

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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.

EIB Ghana continues to stand out as Ghana’s emerging star in media excellence led by a team of seasoned and competent managers who have helped in diverse ways to establish most of Ghana’s competitive media brands. The company itself runs strictly as a very ambitious corporate entity – reason for its phenomenal growth over relatively a short period. Its English platforms consist of Empire FM in Takoradi, Starr FM in Accra, Gh One TV national, Ultimate FM in Kumasi, including ‘A’ rated Online properties, Starrfmonline.com, Ultimate1069.com and Kasapafmonline.com and large following on social media.