Voto Mobile
"I always thought this process was reserved only for established institutions. I was also unsure what the responses would be considering the fact that no media house in Ghana had conducted any such data collection survey and I was really surprised. What surprised me even more was the fact that the data was very easy to analyse and was very plain to the understanding of all. That really helped me in writing the final piece with ease. I have already penned down a number of topics for which we would use VOTO to collect data for the long term growth of the journalism profession and our country."
Mission
We believe that the best policies are created and implemented when they reflect the voice of those who will be affected. Our mission is to increase participation, transparency and accountability in the services delivered to citizens and empower communities to collect and share information to drive positive social change.
Why Voto Mobile?
“More voices. Better choices.” VOTO Mobile offers a web-based platform for mass communication by phone. Our service is designed to reduce the cost of public engagement while making it more accessible and changing the dynamic of the discourse to something more progressive. Using mobile phone with VOTO features, we hope to overcome traditional barriers of distance, language, literacy, access to infrastructure, bureaucracy, social roles, and power dynamics between the development sector and its intended beneficiaries.
Our Approach
VOTO supports messaging, surveying, and call handling, in both voice and SMS message. VOTO can send and receive calls, and is usable by anyone around the world. VOTO’s focus on usability and advanced functionality, as well as its clear social focus and on-the-ground expertise, make it unique in its field and poised to lead new forms of communication enabling inclusive social change. [+] See More
VOTO, unlike other ICT solutions, is built to serve all sectors and communication modes. A few applications include:
- Public opinion polls by journalists
- Crowdsourced data for public service and NGOs
- Public health behaviour change messages with M&E
- Call handling on projects or developments, field accident or corruption reporting, suggestions, and provision/dissemination of other information
Achievements
- CitiFM/Journalists for Human Rights corruption poll received national newspaper, radio, and online coverage, with three more polls to follow
- Four-country study of electricity access for a major consulting firm pushed the development team to build and launch an international platform in a matter of days
- Massive push in business development by current business development manager has placed over 20 organizations in the pipeline for projects in the next year; hiring an international business development manager poises VOTO for additional expansion
