Data journalism forum on improved health care at Ho on Thursday
Each year, hundreds of women in Ghana lose their lives during child birth, leading to Ghana scoring low on MDG 5, in light of this situation.
Advertisement
Penplusbytes with funding and technical support from STAR-Ghana is undertaking the "Open Ghana - Data Journalism for Improved Maternal Healthcare Delivery" project which is aimed at generating compelling data driven stories to support the fight against high rate of maternal mortality.
As part of project implementation, a one day forum is being organised to bring together ordinary citizens, journalists, civil society organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) on the April 10, 2014 in Ho, Volta Region to directly engage with health officials and demand responsiveness from the District Health Services (DHSs) officials on maternal healthcare expenditure.
The project is being implemented in four districts in the Volta region – Ho and Hohoe municipalities as well as Kpando and South Dayi districts.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) report the region was among three regions in Ghana which were struggling to attain the 50 per cent target for skilled delivery set under MDG5 as stated in the 2011 Ghana Health Service Annual Report.
According to Mr Maxwell Adu-Gyamfi, the Project Coordinator, "Since data journalism is still in its infancy we have designed this project not only to equip the media with the skills to decipher data on maternal health but to undertake in-depth and investigative stories that will best inform citizens and also draw duty-bearers attention to issues impedes effective maternal health care delivery for the necessary action to be taken to help reduce maternal mortality in the region"
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, and the Regional Director of Health, Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey, are expected to grace the occasion.
Dr. Francis Zotor, the Dean of the School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) will deliver the keynote address and also double as the Chairman of the occasion.
Other Trending Stories
The key objective of the project is to empower the media to use the techniques and innovations in data-driven journalism to tell impactful stories on maternal healthcare delivery; advocate for better maternal health delivery.
Another objective is to provide a platform for the media and CSOs to hold responsive agencies and structures accountable in delivering improved Maternal Health.