Penplusbytes July Tech Salon: How can Ghana protect herself from Cyber-attacks?

This July, the Accra TechSalon hosted by Penplusbytes focused on Cyber Security in Ghana; the chances of Ghanaians getting cyber-attacks or threats, how Ghana can combat cyber-crimes and also probing deeper into the status and preparedness of Ghana’s cyber security system.

With the help of key stakeholders in the cyber security space in Ghana including representatives from the Ministry of Communication, National Information Technology Agency, Ghana Police Service together with young and vibrant techpreneurs, IT agencies and ordinary citizens interested in cyber security as discussants, the Salon provided avenue to further understand the landscape of Ghana’s Cyber Security and some recommendations were made to help improve Ghana’s cyber security system and how individuals can navigate online safely.

During the discussions, it was advised to tackle cyber security as a social issue and therefore deal with it in a more social perspective. Participants were made aware of the Cyber Criminal Unit in Ghana under the Police Service which serves as the sole unit dedicated to cyber issues like cyber bullying, threats and attacks.

It was revealed that the Ministry of Communication’s current administration has developed a cyber security strategy and will be implementing cyber security measures to the various sectors of the economy, which they have at present put in place. This initiative will be coordinated by the center’s Cyber Security Unit to protect all Ghanaians against cyber-attacks.

Participants were engaged in series of discussions bordering the Ghana Electronic Transactions Act to fight against online criminalities and the appointment of the Cyber Security Adviser to implement policies to ensure there is a governance structure in place. Since most attacks are individual based, participants were advised to make conscious efforts to protect their data and security information.

Recommendations were made to enforce cyber security laws, embark on capacity development initiatives to make Ghana self-reliant to deal with Cyber Security issues in the next 5 years. The Ministry of Communication stated emphatically that they are readily prepared to collaborate with the other Ministries to help tackle cyber security. An appeal was made to CSOs to support the security agencies by providing them with tools or products to aid in tackling the issue of cyber security in Ghana.

This tech salon forms part of Penplusbytes monthly tech salons held at the New Media Hub in Accra. If you missed out on this join the next tech salon in August. Information about the next tech salon would be placed on all our digital platforms. Kindly note participation is free.



About Tech Salon

The Technology Salon is a global network of professionals who share a common passion for expanding the role of ICT in empowering development. Through regular discussions on relevant topics, we are improving our knowledge and expertise in the ICT4D field, networking across sectors and domains, and moving beyond talk, and into action.

The Constitution of the Network of Information, Communication and Technology Communicators (NETCOM), Ghana.

The Constitution of the Network of Information, Communication and Technology Communicators (NETCOM), Ghana.

Preamble:

Considering that information is vital for development and that people need relevant, accurate and timely information to make decisions on matters affecting their lives;
Convinced that Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) if harnessed properly, would help framers and other business people understand the market; business opportunities, market prices, market regulations;
Convinced by our common realisation of the need to create an organisation to advocate for ICT’s as a practical tool of promoting general development in Ghana;
We the journalists of Ghana agreed as follows:

Article 1:
The name of the organisation shall be called – NETWORK OF ICT COMMUNICATORS.

1. Hereinafter referred to as the NETCOM

Article 2:
Aims and Objectives:
(a)To equip journalists/communicators in ICT reporting
(b) To bring together communicators with interest in ICT
(c)To educate and inform the general public on ICT issues
(d) To influence the development of curricula in ICT at media training institutions

Article 3:
NETCOM shall be comprised of
(a) Patron council
(b) General Assembly
(c) Executive Committee
(d) Disciplinary Committee

Article 4:
Patron Council

This shall consist of five selected patrons.


Article 5:
General Assembly

Shall comprise the following:
(a) Members of the Association
(b) Executive Members
(c) All branches and affiliate members

Article 6:
Meetings

(1) The General Assembly shall meet at least once each month.
(2) The Secretary shall in writing notify members of such meeting specifying the agenda.
(3) The quorum for a General Assembly meeting shall be two (2) Executive Officers including the President and three (3) other members
(4) The General Assembly shall on its own initiative consider and make recommendations on any matter provided for in this Constitution or affecting the welfare and interest of members of organisations
(5) The Secretary to the general body shall communicate proceedings of the General Assembly within a reasonably period.

Article 7:
National Executive Committee
(a) The NEC shall comprise of the President, Vice President,
Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations/Liaison
Officer and an Executive Member.
(b) The EC shall have powers to appoint ad-hoc committees from among members of the NETCOM.
(c) The NEC shall manage and transact matters arising from the affairs of the NETCOM
(d) The NEC shall have powers to discipline any member and to hear appeals referred to it.
Article 8:
Functions of the National Executive Committee

President
(a) Shall supervise the activities of the NETCOM and shall endeavour to secure the adherence to the NETCOM constitution by all members.
(b) Shall preside over all meetings of the National Council, National Executive Committee, and shall be responsible for proper conduct of such meetings.
(c) Shall sign minutes of each meeting at the time they are passed as correct.
(d) Shall be a signatory to the NETCOM Bank Account.
(e) In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall exercise all the powers of this office.

General Secretary
(a) Shall be responsible for general administration of the NETCOM.
(b) Shall supervise and administer day to day running of the National Executive Committee head office.
(c) Shall record all minutes of the National Executive Committee and sign them with the Chairperson after they have been passed and adopted as correct.
(d) Shall be Secretary to the National Executive Committee and signatory to NETCOM Bank Account.
(e) In the absence of the General Secretary the Deputy General Secretary shall perform the above duties.
Treasurer
(a) Shall keep inventory of the property of the NETCOM.
(b) Shall be a signatory to the NETCOM Bank Account.
(c) Shall prepare a financial report for presentation to the National Council Annual Meeting and to relevant partners.
(d) Shall supervise fund-raising programmes of the NETCOM.
(e) Shall prepare and present the budget to the National Executive, which in turn, will present it to the National Council.

Public Relations/Liaison Officer
(a) Shall be responsible for the preservation of all documents, books, and papers of the NETCOM.
(b) Shall facilitate media coverage of NETCOM activities.
(c) Shall liaise with media organisations to promote the activities of NETCOM.
(d) Shall embark on membership drive, welfare, and sustainability of membership.

Committee Members
(a) Shall be responsible to head any ad-hoc committee proposed by the National Executive.
(b) Shall fill any vacancy left by a member within the National Executive.
(c) Shall undertake any other tasks assigned by the National Executive Committee.
(d) Any of the two i.e. (Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer) is eligible to sign at any point in time.

Article 9:
Duties and Powers of National Executive Committee (NEC)
(a) Duties and powers of the NEC shall be dedicated towards the attainment of the objectives
(b) There shall be Disciplinary Committee comprising two (2) NEC members plus the President to determine and hear all matters of discipline. The Disciplinary Committee shall recommend appropriate action against all cases of indiscipline, provided that such actions will be referred to NEC whose decision shall be binding. Disciplined members shall reserve the right to appeal to the Patrons Council. In the meantime the decision of the NEC shall be enforced.
(c) By simple majority, the NEC shall decide that the President or any other NEC member be changed. In all such cases, the member to be changed shall be served with a resolution to that effect and a full detailed charge against him or her.
(d) The Disciplinary Committee shall hear all cases referred to it not later than three weeks of receipt of such cases and notification. Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee shall not take effect until ratified by the EC, which, in such a case shall be summoned within three weeks after the Disciplinary Committee has completed its work.
Article 10:
Emergency Meetings
(a) Notwithstanding clause (6) of this constitution, the Executive Committee or, any ten (10) of the General Assembly members may request for an emergency meeting provided that notice of such request shall be given in writing, and that the agenda or agendum, whichever may be appropriate, shall be attached and delivered to the Secretary or in his absence any executive member.
(b) The Secretary in consultation with the Executive Committee shall summon such meeting within three (3) days of receipt of such request.

Article 11:
Decision Making
(1) The General Assembly shall be the highest decision making body.
(2) The General Assembly may concern itself with questions of general policy referred to it by the Executive Committee.

Article 12:
Finances
(a) The NEC shall ensure that the general funds of the NETCOM are utilised in the best interest of the NETCOM and its members.
(b) The EC shall appoint a financial and fund-raising committee comprising three (3) NEC members, including the President, to set guidelines; draw plans and budgets and control, regulatory procedures.
(c) NETCOM shall conduct an annual internal audit by well-established auditing team to be appointed by the NEC.
(d) Benefits shall be given to full-paid up dues members on the death of parents, spouse or child.
(e) A full-paid up member shall also receive a package during his /her marriage ceremony.

Article 13:
Funds of the NETCOM
The NETCOM shall solicit for financial assistance from the
Government or any NGO, business house or any local or international
donor.

Article 14:
Secret Ballot
The NEC shall have the power to appoint an independent electoral
agency to conduct the elections to NEC positions in accordance with the principles of Secret Ballot.

Article 15:
Electoral Procedure
(a) Where one or more valid nominations are received for an office, the election shall be in accordance with Article 3(2). Nominations for the positions in Article 7(a) shall be received by the returning officer one-day before elections.
(b) Nominations shall be fully paid up members of NETCOM. If no opposing valid nomination is received for any office (s) the member standing shall be considered duly elected.
Term of office shall be two years of which an officer can renew his/her term.

About Netcom

NETCOM
As a key outcome of REGIONAL MEDIA TRAINING IN GHANA organized by PenPlusBytes in association with UNECA at Accra International Conference Centre and Kofi Annan ICT Centre from 1-2 June 2004 under the theme Catalyzing ICT development through active media participation, the participants drawn from Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria formally agreed to form a media network to be known NETCOM. The key objective of the network is to bring together media persons and journalist interested in Information and Communication Technologies for Development.


Executive Officers

* President --- Kwateboi Owoo( Evening News)
* Vice President --- Lydia Ofori-Abakah( GNA)
* Secretary --- Eben Osei-KofiM ( Business and Financial Times)
* Deputy Secretary --- Utche Okwuosah ( Statesman)
* Treasurer --- Fordjour Listowell
* Public Relations Officer --- Richard Akakpo
* Executive Member --- Fred Sarpong

Currently attempts are being made to develop a series of programmes and projects including training programmes for the network.
The network would be run by executive officer under the direction of patrons
The network works with a constitution which would provide broad framework of governance of the organization.

NETCOM is affiliated to Penplusbytes, a regional network of media persons and journalists working in ICT4D space.