Collaborating with the government to fight cybercrime – Ursula appeals to Ghanaians

General News of Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2019-02-06

Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful called on members of the society to work with the government to combat cybercrime and its negative consequences for young people in particular.

This appeared in a speech read in his name by the Hon. Vincent Sowah Odotei, Deputy Minister of Communications, at a forum organized on the occasion of Safer Internet Day in Accra.

He urged parents, teachers, industry players, the media and opinion leaders to help disinfect the Internet in cybercrime, as would be the case for any other infectious epidemic.

"We must use the knowledge and research we have gained about cybersecurity threats and avoid inappropriate behavior and fraudulent use of the Internet to protect our children and youth from cybercriminals. We must recognize the threats, discover the universe of possible responses to each threat, and then provide us with security measures to eliminate the problem. "

Ms. Owusu-Ekuful said that although the Internet can be exploited wisely, some malicious people have decided to devote their time and resources to using this powerful tool for selfish ends.

"They are exploiting this technology, among other things; badtort young children, perform fraudulent online activities, implement a compromise system, etc. The open character to the Internet, which gives equal access to all and allows anonymity and uncensored content to users, including children, adolescents, adults, businesses, governments, social groups and activists can create and publish on Internet without approval. "

The Minister said that the theme of the celebration of the year, "Together for a Better Internet," is part of the government's efforts to secure Ghana's cyberspace through the National Cyber ​​Security Awareness Program. last October.

She said that as part of building confidence and security in the use of ICTs, the government has joined two major conventions on cybersecurity; The Budapest Convention and the Malabo Convention. These are intended to ensure collaboration with other countries in the fight against cybercrime, which knows no geographical limits.

"We have also created a national cybersecurity center where suspected incidents can be reported and handled appropriately. Efforts have been made to identify legislative and policy gaps between existing frameworks and the international framework for the online protection of children to integrate issues that will aim to protect and prevent children and young people from being abused. exploitation and badual abuse of children online ".

Ms. Owusu-Ekuful urged everyone to combat cyber-threats and attacks through an awareness campaign and put in place preventive measures to reduce the threat of abuse on the Internet. children online.