BudgIT organizes First Budget Datathon in Ghana

Nigeria-based non-profit organization BudgIT is hosting the first Hackathon to be held in Accra,Ghana. Participants – both data miners and data analysts – will work to analyze the Ghana’s budget which will enable citizens to have a better understanding of the budget.

Research has shown that data, when graphically represented, is better assimilated and retained by its target audience than data than is simply presented in its normal state. Thus, as stated above, one of the ways through which we try to encourage participatory governance among our people is by taking seemingly complex data and simplifying them by means of infographics.

This event offers individuals (data geeks) a chance to brainstorm and give ideas. Participants (data geeks) then form teams to join and spend the weekend enjoying an epic workspace. Free WiFi, food and beverage will be provided. The event will take place on the 2nd of February 2016 at the iSpace office, House No. 205/6, 2nd Emmause Lane, Accra, Ghana.

Data geeks (Data miners, data analysts and data visualisers) are invited to grow their data analysis skills, experience community synergy and network with other data analysts. All skill levels welcomed. Youths, CSOs and journalists are encouraged to attend.

The event is free but participants & organizations must register to attend. Sign up at http:www.yourbudgit.com/datathon

The Host
BudgIT’s innovation within the public circles comes with a creative use of government data by either presenting them in simple tweets, interactive format or infographic displays. We believe that in a democracy, every citizen has the right to know how his/her taxes are expended in the delivery of public infrastructure and services. Equality and open access to governance is entrenched in democracy and its institutions and as such, budgetary information as a vital asset needs to be understandable and accessible to all Nigerians.