The International Institute of ICT Journalism (Penplusbytes) has launched the “Grassroots Open Government Using New Digital Tools” project at Dorgwami near Ada to improve transparency, accountability and civic participation to ensure efficient use of public resources at the grassroot.

The project, being funded from Making All Voices Count (MAVC), an international initiative that contributes towards effective governance and accountability by enabling citizen engagement and open responsive government in countries in Africa and Asia, aims at enhancing communication and information sharing between citizens and the local government.

The project focuses on simplifying the development plan and budgets of selected district assemblies and highlights service delivery in the areas of health, sanitation and education, through a collaborative and integrated approach. The project makes use of an integrated set of tested tools namely: an interactive online platform integrated with mobile app, SMS; traditional media, and an information and knowledge management tool.

Mr Jerry Sam, Director of Projects at Penplusbytes, said the Grassroots Open Government Using New Digital Tools project was being implemented in two district assemblies namely: the Ada East District in the Greater Accra Region and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly in the Northern Region.

He said the project seeks to promote transparency and accountability at the community level in Ghana and it is expected to promote effective, responsive and responsible governance, and better public service delivery.

“A key expected outcome of the project is to deliver improved and well informed government actors on the nature, depth and quality of information demanded by citizens, using appropriate technology to achieve better communication and monitoring between them,” Mr Sam said.

The people of Ada can now access the Ada East District Assembly development projects and plans online at www.opengov.org.gh while contributing to the district development plan and help track or monitor projects from the comfort of their homes.

“All they need to do is send messages to toll free SMS code by prefixing GOV to 7000-MTN and 1904 to all other networks as well as the whatsapp numbers 024 199 5737/027 984 8444 and phone in sessions on Radio Ada, a community radio”, Mr Sam explained.

Togbe G.Y Gadzekpo, Ada East Co-ordinating Director, commended Penplusbytes and MAVC for selecting the District for this laudable project, saying "we have not quite gotten nearer to the level Ghana wants to reach as far as local government is concerned but we are still making the effort”.

He said the challenge seriously lies on those at the grassroots level to make sure that their voices are heard and are part and parcel of how they are governed.

On her part, Ms Gontse Legong, Governance Programme Officer at MAVC, said the project would enable citizens at the local level to have a voice in how resources allocated for development were prudently utilised to eradicate poverty and stimulate wealth creation using both new digital tools and face-to-face interventions such as public fora and community radio.

At the launch were assembly members, unit committee members, community members, NCCE officials, opinion leaders, community based organisations and stakeholders in health, sanitation and education from the Ada East District Assembly in the Greater Accra Region.

A re-launch of the project is scheduled to take place in Tamale on the 10th of September.