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Penplusbytes to deliver top-notch training for selected media persons on reporting on Disability Issues

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Gender Equality and Social Inclusion issues have often been relegated in media coverage in Ghana particularly with issues of Persons with Disabilities. This informed the need for a concerted effort to make their voices’ heard on media channels and to demand for what is due them as citizens.

Penplusbytes from 17th to 20th August 2018 is organising the second in the series of media trainings for selected journalists from four regions in Ghana (Greater Accra, Volta, Central and Western Regions) in the Volta regional capital, Ho, to engage them to spearhead the campaign in making Persons with Disabilities issues headline news.

A significant section of the population in Ghana is excluded from accessing government interventions and benefiting from public goods and services. Persons with Disabilities form a substantial part of the excluded demography whose voices are silent on national issues.

This queries government’s claims of achieving poverty reduction and improving the lives of citizens, which is a key tenet in any government’s development agenda and a functioning democracy.

Penplusbytes with support from STAR Ghana is implementing the “Deliver! – Amplifying Vulnerable citizens’ voices” Project to contribute significantly to addressing challenges that Persons with Disabilities face with regards to access to health, education and economic opportunities and consequently increase the awareness of issues that negatively impact them and other vulnerable groups.

According to the executive Director of Penplusbytes, Kwami Ahiabenu II, “Persons with disabilities in recent times have had their issues amplified in the media particularly with regards to the disbursement of their fund through the MMDAs. We want more of this and this training is geared towards setting a sustained media agenda on their issues that will in turn influence policy decisions.”

Working in conjunction with partners, Penplusbytes plans to empower citizens especially persons with disabilities, the media and community based organisations in selected project areas, to work hand-in-hand to monitor the delivery of key public services the disabled, advocate for best practices and assess how these impact positively especially in the lives of persons with disabilities.

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About

Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilisation of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources.