Penplusbytes Celebrates 23 Years of Innovation and Impact

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Welcome to the July edition of our Penplusbytes Newsletter!

This month, we bring you updates on our ongoing projects and new organisational developments. As always, our commitment to driving digital innovation and good governance remains at the forefront of our efforts.

We hope you enjoy this month’s edition and find it informative. We welcome your feedback and contributions to improve our work and initiatives.

Happy reading!

Aba,

Communications Officer.

In July 2024, Penplusbytes proudly marked its 23rd anniversary, commemorating over two decades of advancing good governance, media innovations, and civic empowerment across Africa.

Founded on July 18, 2001, Penplusbytes has grown from pioneering efforts in media and digital technologies, and empowering journalists through the use of ICTs. We have evolved to drive change through innovative solutions in key areas such as leveraging digital technologies to promote good governance, advancing new media and innovations, addressing climate change and well-being, and enhancing oversight for the effective utilization of mining, oil, and gas revenues and resources. It is inspiring to see how Penplusbytes has evolved over these past years, continually adapting to meet the challenges of our time.

From our early days as the International Institute for ICT Journalism to our current phase, our team (Board, Management and Staff) has been pivotal in every achievement and milestone. Their dedication, contributions, and resilience have transformed ideas into impactful projects that make a difference in communities across the country and beyond. We recognize and celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of our past and present team. Since 2001, their unwavering commitment has been the driving force behind our success and impact.

We also appreciate all our partners, donors, clients, and other stakeholders for their support in our various projects, services, initiatives, and programs. Your contributions have been invaluable in promoting good governance in Africa using new digital technologies. We could not have done it without your support.

We celebrate 23 remarkable years of innovation, dedication, and impactful change. We remain inspired to continue to promote good governance in Africa using new digital technologies. Here’s to many more years of making a positive difference together!

Penplusbytes and NCCE Partner to Fight Election Disinformation Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 Elections

With barely five months to Ghana’s general elections, there is an urgent need to safeguard our democracy by once again voting peacefully and transitioning governments smoothly, as has been done in previous elections. The need to enable people to evaluate information and separate truth from fiction with media and information literacy (MIL) is also clearly evident considering the influx of election-related misinformation and disinformation on digital platforms.

For this reason, Penplusbytes with support from DW Akademie and in partnership with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is implementing the “MIL in Elections Campaign”. The project seeks to first train officers of the NCCE on the importance of media and information literacy in elections, how to recognise and combat election disinformation and misinformation, and then equip them with the necessary tools to disseminate accurate information to the public. The trained officers are expected to use information, education and communication materials to reach out to their communities with the message of being critical about consuming media during this election.

Continue Reading on our website
Second Episode of ‘MIL Knowledge Hub with Manuel’ Explores Disinformation in Ghana

Episode 2 of the ‘MIL Knowledge Hub with Manuel’ podcast is live. In this episode, Manuel and co-host Asana explore the disinformation ecosystem in Ghana, shedding light on the key actors and suggesting measures to combat misinformation.

The podcast seeks to empower citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to discern truth from falsehood in this present era of evolving misinformation and disinformation, especially around the upcoming December 2024 elections. This episode’s discussion provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how disinformation operates within the country and offers practical measures to combat this pervasive issue.

You can listen now on the following platforms

Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Afripods

We encourage all to tune in and stay informed about the current state of media and information literacy in Ghana. Your support and engagement with our podcast series are crucial in our collective effort to promote a well-informed society.

IGP Calls for Fight Against Fake News; Penplusbytes Highlights Efforts to Combat Disinformation

In July, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, issued a strong call to action for traditional media outlets to combat the growing menace of fake news.

In response to this significant announcement, Penplusbytes released a short video to highlight its ongoing efforts and projects aimed at addressing the issue of fake news. As a leading organization committed to promoting good governance and media, and information literacy competencies in Africa, Penplusbytes has been at the forefront of combating misinformation and disinformation through various initiatives.

At Penplusbytes, we are committed to fighting disinformation by providing the public with the tools and knowledge to critically evaluate the information they consume. Penplusbytes’ efforts align with the broader call by the IGP for traditional media to take a proactive role in curbing the spread of fake news. By collaborating with media outlets, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, Penplusbytes aims to create a more informed and resilient society.

Watch the Video here
Penplusbytes’ Programmes Manager (Gov-Tech) Joins Disinformation Exchange in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Penplusbytes’ Programmes Manager, Harriet Ofori, participated in the Côte d’Ivoire counter-disinformation subject matter exchange held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This critical event, organized by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), brought together experts and organisations dedicated to combating disinformation across Africa.

The exchange tackled various issues related to disinformation, including the DISARM Framework (Disinformation Analysis and Risk Management) and the ABCDE Framework, used to identify actors, behaviours observed, content, degree, and effects of disinformation campaigns. Participants also explored the disinformation landscape vis-à-vis Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and discussed the importance of developing Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs).

The event featured other notable organizations such as Code for Africa (CfA), Debunk EU, Africom, and Groupe de travail de lutte contre la désinformation en Côte d’Ivoire (GTLD-CI). Key speakers included Her Excellency Jessica Davis Ba, Ambassador of the United States to Ivory Coast, Dr. Mark Duerksen of ACSS, and Viktoras Dauksas of Debunk EU.

Ms. Ofori played a significant role as a subject area expert, sharing findings from Penplusbytes’ recent research on disinformation in the sub-region.

Through these exchanges, Penplusbytes continues to enhance its capacity to address disinformation, leveraging international expertise and fostering collaborations across the region.

Welcome to Our Communications Officer: Mercy Aba Blankson

We are happy to announce the arrival of a new team member at Penplusbytes in the person of Mercy Aba Blankson, serving as a Communication Officer.

Aba brings with her a strong background in communications, having graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, now UniMAC-GIJ.

In her role, Aba is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive communication strategies to convey our mission and impact to various stakeholders. She will lead the creation of written, visual, and multimedia content as well as manage our digital presence.

Aba’s previous work showcases her dedication to using her voice for positive change, with a particular focus on social issues. Her skills in writing, social media management, graphic design and video editing will be invaluable as we continue to expand our reach and impact at Penplusbytes.

Please join us in welcoming Aba to the team and feel free to reach out to her at aba.blankson@penplusbytes.org or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Penplusbytes Welcomes Audrey and Stephen: New Fellows from EPL Ghana

Penplusbytes is excited to announce the arrival of two new fellows from the EPL Ghana Public Sector Fellowship, Audrey and Stephen.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Audrey and Steven. We look forward to the fresh perspectives they will bring to Penplusbytes.

Wisdom and Justin Complete One Year EPL Ghana Fellowship Programme At Penplusbytes

At a heartfelt ceremony held on July 16th, 2024, Penplusbytes celebrated the graduation of Wisdom and Justin from Cohort 5 of the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Ghana Fellowship programme. Colleagues gathered to cheer on the fellows as they marked the end of their public service fellowship journey, which began in July 2023.

Wisdom assisted with research projects and provided programme support under the Climate and Wellbeing thematic area while Justin’s duties included assisting with research and data analysis as well as projects and programme support with the Tech & Good Governance team. Throughout their fellowship, Wisdom and Justin made notable contributions to various projects and initiatives at Penplusbytes. Their dedication and hard work have been instrumental in driving forward the organization’s mission and impact. The fellowship not only provided them with practical experience but also allowed them to develop their leadership skills and professional networks.

The collaboration between EPL Ghana and Penplusbytes underscores a shared commitment to fostering ethical leadership and good governance in the public sector. As Wisdom and Justin embark on the next chapter of their professional journey, Penplusbytes extends its best wishes to them. The organisation looks forward to witnessing their continued success and the positive impact they will undoubtedly have in their future endeavours.

Congratulations to Wisdom and Justin on their well-deserved achievement! Keep shining and continue to make a difference.

PUBLICATION OF THE MONTH

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality that affects everyone. Across the world, people are bearing the brunt. As confirmed by the recent State of the Global Climate report, the hottest year on record was 2023. Beyond this temperature indicator, the entire report as well as observed adverse impacts and severe future projections of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa signal that climate inaction risks exacerbating the disproportionate devastation being suffered in countries such as Ghana where the majority of citizens have acknowledged climate change as making life worse. It has therefore become critically urgent to intensify climate action with inspiration drawn from the age-old pragmatic expression that necessity is the mother of invention.

Read more on our latest publication here

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