The Project dubbed: “Testing the Value Addition of Technology in Social Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (SPEFA),” is being implemented by the Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), an NGO, with support from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).

The Regional Coordinating Council, VOtO Mobile, SNV, The Netherlands Development Organisation are also supporting the project with financial support from Hivos and Making All Voice Counts. 

The hi-tech SPEFA project is intended to explore and train citizens and duty bearers on how effective and functional the various social media platforms interact on social accountability issues.

It will employ Interactive Voice Response (IVR), the use of SMS, WhatsApp, web-based platform as well as radio and a toll free hotline. Briefing the staff of the Bongo District Assembly including the heads of department, assembly members, traditional authorities, youth groups, persons with disability, security agencies and the media, the Programme Manager of DRAC, Mr Milton Aberinga, said the project would develop appropriate technology tools for an online version of SPEFA and also create an online platform for information sharing.

“This will help improve and broaden access to social accountability related information through effective collaboration with media networks in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies for increased participation”. 

The Programme Manager said the project would help improve service delivery through improved citizen engagement with local authorities.  He explained that in 2014, DRAC, with the technical support from SNV, MLGRD with funding from government and the World Bank, implemented the SPEFA model in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

He noted that the success story of the phase one of the SPEFA model, attracted attention and support from Hivos, thereby Making All Voice Count to scale up the project in Bolgatanga and the Bongo District.  Mr Aberinga said the project was expected to conduct a regional learning event on technology-based SPEFA and replicate it at the regional and national levels.

He called on stakeholders to play their roles to achieve the set goals.

 The Bongo District Coordinating Director, Mr Ayambire Akaditi, pledged the Assembly’s support for the effective implementation of the project.