Over 3,000 students and worshippers in Accra educated on misinformation & disinformation

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Leadership and members of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the EMIs Chamber of Ghana, and the Cyber Security Authority, have reiterated the need for the general public to be careful in how they receive, interact with and disseminate information both online and offline. The advice was given during separate educational engagements in Accra on Friday October 25, 2024.

The first stop of the engagement, which was part of the 2024 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) under the theme “Combating Misinformation/Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy; Our Collective Responsibility”, was at the Labone Senior High School in Accra. During the hour-long engagement, experts from the telecommunications industry educated about 3,000 students and teachers, on the dangers of misinformation/disinformation and provided tools to help them identify and counter misinformation, while protecting themselves, their loved ones and their properties.

The various presenters (including Regine Bambara, Gillian Boateng, Samuel Bartels  and Angela Adu-Ampofo) who took time to highlight the differences between misinformation and disinformation, also stressed on the need for the students to not just be careful of how they interact with and share information they encounter, but to also protect their personal information from unscrupulous sources.

In addition to the importance of verifying sources, the speakers also touched on fact-checking information, and critically evaluating the credibility of news sources before sharing or believing them. The students were also taught how to spot common tactics used by purveyors of fake news, such as sensational headlines, clickbait, and misleading images.

During and after the engagement, students actively asked questions, which were addressed by representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the EMIs Chamber of Ghana and the CSA.

Later in the day, the team extended the campaign to the National Mosque of Ghana, where they engaged hundreds of worshippers on the same issue of misinformation and disinformation along with their varied negative impact, as well as steps to combat the menace.

The speaker Mr. Ibrahim Musah who was joined by the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber Ing.Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, representatives of members and representatives of the CSA, emphasized the importance of critically evaluating information before sharing, especially as the country approaches an election year.  Mr. Ibrahim further stressed on the need for the worshipers present and online, to play their part in limiting the spread of misinformation and disinformation, debunking same, and leaving a holy life to the benefit of all.

On his part Ing. Dr. Ashigbey thanked the leadership of the National Mosque of Ghana for the opportunity to educate and engage the worshippers. In his earlier interaction with the students at Labone SHS, Ing. Dr. Ashigbey stressed in the need for the students to prioritize their understanding and utilization of new technology.

NCSAM 2024

This year’s NCSAM themed “Combating Misinformation/Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy; Our Collective Responsibility” aims to spotlight the widespread issue of misinformation and disinformation, particularly their potential to undermine electoral integrity, peace, and security.

Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, the month-long program is designed to foster collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, developing comprehensive strategies to curb the spread of false information online.

Over 200 Students and 50 Teachers From Shai Osudoku Receive Training in Coding, 3D Printing & IoT

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The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, in partnership with the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana, has successfully trained a total of 200 students and 50 teachers in the Shai Osudoku District of Greater Accra in Coding, 3D Printing and the Internet of Things (IoT) as part of its “Coding Caravan” initiative funded by the Chamber. The students were selected from 21 schools in the district, while the teachers were selected from 50 separate schools in the district.

In an interview on the sidelines of the training workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, expressed hope of witnessing innovative solutions being birthed by the participants to tackle societal issues across the country in the short to medium term.

“We want to get to a stage where a child that we are training today can come up with a solution to deal with a challenge that surrounds them. We have been focused on doing this in the communities and environments where, as a Chamber and our partners, we can return because we want to spend the majority of our money not on our boarding and lodging but rather on teaching the kids.”

He also called on corporations to support the Coding Caravan team to scale up the initiative: “Any corporate body that wants, we can show you the proof of concept. We can show you how it is done and its impact. You don’t need to give the money to us. You can decide to sponsor a community of your choice; we’ll bring the volunteers and partners, and we’ll come to your community and deliver this course.”

The participating students were introduced to Scratch, a free programming language that allows users to create interactive stories, games, and animations. They also explored 3D design, printing, and the IoT,gaining hands-on experience in these crucial areas.

To ensure the long-term impact of the project, Dr. Ashigbey stressed the importance of also training teachers in the above-mentioned areas. This approach equips educators with the skills needed to continue the initiative’s goals independently as it expands to new schools. He noted the shift from theory-based to practical teaching methods, aiming to better prepare students for real-world challenges. 

He urged citizens to support the initiative through various means, including providing transportation and internet access, as the project plans to extend from Accra to Paga.

Ms. Dorothy Klutse, Digital Skills Training Supervisor at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), led sessions on “thinkatoys” and 3D printing within the IoT framework. She demonstrated practical applications of IoT, such as improving traffic light functionality through internet connectivity, among others.

According to Ms. Klutse, it is critical for the Ghanaian child to be introduced to world of IoT and 3D Printing among others. “The things we’ve thought today will significantly impact the children as the world continues to become a global village. I would like to highlight the importance of the children learning about the internet-of-things (IoT) as well as concepts like artificial intelligence. They would in the future use such platforms to develop innovative solutions to our problems.”

Addressing the students, Nana Yaa Amoah Bediako, Apagyahemaa of Asamankese, encouraged them to use ICT positively. She advised, “Instead of misusing ICT, use your access to computers and phones wisely. With data, you have a gateway to the global world, offering opportunities to learn new and beneficial things. Avoid wasting time on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Instead, you can learn new words, skills, or hobbies. For example, I learned how to make fula and granular online.”

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications remains committed to empowering the next generation through responsible and innovative use of ICT, fostering a brighter future for all. 

The Coding Caravan Project has previously reached communities such as Tsiame, Nsawam, Akyem Oda, Agona Swedru, and Ofoase Ayirebi and trained about 1,500 pupils and 250 teachers across these areas.

LIST OF SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS IN SHAI OSUDOKU
1ASSUARE JUNCTION DA BASIC12DODOWA PREBY BASIC B
2DEDENYA DA BASIC13DODOWA NEWTOWN BASIC A
3DORYUMU METHODIST BASIC14DODOWA NEWTOWN BASIC B
4DORYUMU D.A BASIC15DODOWA NEWTOWN BASIC C
5DORYUMU D.A BASIC B16SHAI D.A JHS
6Kordabe RC BASIC17DODOWA METHODIST BASIC A
7MANYAJORPANYA D.A BASIC18DODOWA METHODIST BASIC B
8ASEBI D.A BASIC19DODOWA NURU ISLAMIYA BASIC
9AYIKUMA RC BASIC20ST AGNES RC JHS
10AYIKUMA METHODIST BASIC21ST AGNES RC PRIMARY
11DODOWA PREBY BASIC A   

Source: Chamber News Desk

CSquared Champions ICT Education with Sponsorship of Coding Caravan in Sogakope

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CSquared, a leading technology company, committed to a digitally connected Africa, has joined hands with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, the Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana to organize coding training for some selected schools in the South Tongu District in the Volta Region of Ghana.  

The program, which came off on June 28, 2024, featured activities designed to introduce 236 pupils, from upper primary to junior high school levels, and 50 of their teachers to the basics of coding and animations using the Scratch application software, 3D designs using Tinkertoys, and an introduction to IoT through hands-on experience with Arduino kits to build a traffic-light system. 

In an interview with the media on the sidelines of the event, Stephen Gefli, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of CSquared, emphasized the company’s commitment to giving back to society through their C-Serve project, which focuses on societal upliftment. “We are proud to support the Coding Caravan initiative and collaborate with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and IIPGH to ensure its success. Our goal is to extend our support to more communities, enabling students to develop essential digital skills,” Gefli stated. 

Dr. Ken Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber of Ghana, highlighted the critical need for ICT centres in districts and villages to provide continuous practice opportunities for students. “A one-day awareness programme is not sufficient to achieve our objectives. Establishing ICT facilities will enable pupils to practice regularly and develop their skills effectively,” he noted.

David Gowu, Executive Director of IIPGH, expressed his excitement about the initiative, stating: “This year, the Coding Caravan is back on the road, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. We aim to expand and enhance this programme by bringing more partners on board and increasing our impact. Our ultimate objective is to establish coding clubs in schools, enabling students to participate in coding competitions, foster innovation, and create solutions that benefit our country and Africa as a whole.”

Gowu also mentioned that resources and funding are limiting factors for the programme’s growth, but they are focusing on raising awareness through a comprehensive roadshow called Accra-to-Paga that will navigate major towns, cities, and villages across the country, culminating in the northernmost region. Additionally, training sessions for teachers who have access to government-supplied computers and school labs are planned to equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to integrate coding into their teaching practices.

CSquared’s sponsorship of the Coding Caravan is a testament to their dedication to fostering digital skills and innovation among young people in Ghana, ensuring that students can benefit from continuous support and development in the ever-evolving technological landscape.

The event, which was hosted at the Comboni Technical Vocational Institute School and graced by the traditional leaders of the town, ended with the presentation of a brand new laptop to the school with the most active students during the days sessions, Sogakope D/A Basic School.

Source: Chamber News Desk

Telecommunications and EMIs Chamber’s engage NPP flagbearer on the Telecoms Manifesto

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The Vice President and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been urged to prioritize and resolve key challenges that continue to plague the fortunes of the telecommunications industry as well as the digital payments ecosystem in Ghana if he wins the 2024 elections. The calls were made by the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana.

In a scheduled engagement on June 7, 2024 at the secretariat of the two Chambers in Accra, the NPP’s flagbearer was taken through some of the key issues affecting players in the two industries.

For the GCT, the following key issues among others were discussed;

  1. A conducive and supportive policy and regulatory environment
  2. An enabling tax regime
  3. Protection for industry infrastructure
  4. Cost of doing business and ease of doing business
  5. Indebtedness to industry
  6. Development of the needed human capital for the industry
  7. Increasing smartphone penetration across Ghana

Issues discussed for the EMIs Chamber meanwhile included;

  1. Repeal of the E-Levy law
  2. Facilitation of cross-border payments
  3. Driving digital payments for People to Government as well as merchant payments
  4. Enabling policy and regulatory environment
  5. Cost and ease of access to the Ghana card database among others

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications was led by its Chairman, the CEO of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, Acting CEO of AT, Leo Skarlatos, CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, CFO of ATC Ghana, Bright Owusu Bempah; and Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey the CEO of both Chambers.

The EMIs Chamber of Ghana was, on the other hand, led by the founding chairman of the Chamber, Philip Amoateng, the Director for Telecel Cash, the Acting Managing Director of AT Money, Mohammed Alhassan and other representatives.

On the NPP side, Vice President and flagbearer for the NPP, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia joined the two Chambers with the Honourable Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, immediate past majority leader and Chairman of the NPP manifesto committee for election 2024 Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Prof Kwaku Appiah-Adu the Senior Policy Advisor, Vice President’s Secretariat, Dr. Augustine Blay, Executive Secretary to the Vice President among other team members.

The meeting forms part of the efforts of the two Chambers, to share their key issues with all parties ahead of the December 7 elections, with the hope that the issues are captured in their respective manifestos and implemented once they come into power.

The NPP Flagbearer, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in his remarks to the room, highlighted his support for the sector especially spearheading the implementation of Mobile Money Interoperability in the country as Vice President. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that all the issues raised in the Telecoms Manifesto and at the meeting are worked on, working in close collaboration with members of both Chambers.

As part of both Chambers’ plans of meeting the flagbearers of the parties with representation in parliament, the two Chambers earlier in the week met with the NDC flagbearer H.E John Dramani Mahama on June 3, 2024.  The Chamber had earlier shared the Telecoms Manifesto with all political parties. The next step for the Chamber would be to review the manifestos of all the political parties to find out how much of the Telecoms Manifesto has been incorporated into the political parties’ manifestos. Then in 2025 monitor and advocate for the implementation of plans and policies of the ruling party to ensure that the issues raised in the Telecoms Manifesto are implemented for the benefit of the country.

Source: Chamber News Desk

Telecommunications and EMIs Chamber’s engage NDC flagbearer on the Telecoms Manifesto

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The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and its sister outfit, the EMIs Chamber of Ghana, have called for increased attention and support for the telecommunications industry as well as the digital payments ecosystem.

The calls were made during an engagement session between leadership of the two Chambers and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and his team on Monday, June 3, 2024, in Accra, at the secretariat of the two Chambers. The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications was led by its Chairman, the CEO of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, Acting CEO of AT, Leo Skarlatos, CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, the Managing Director at Helios Towers Ghana, Angelo Govina and Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of both Chambers.

The EMIs Chamber of Ghana was, on the other hand, led by the founding chairman of the Chamber, Philip Amoateng, the Director for Telecel Cash, the Acting Managing Director of AT Money, Mohammed Alhassan, CEO of Mobile Money Limited, Shaibu Haruna, Edem Kpodo, the Operations Lead at G-Money, and other representatives.

On the NDC side, Former President and flagbearer for the NDC, H.E John Dramani Mahama, joined the two chambers with the Honourable Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George and other team members.

The meeting, which lasted about 2 hours, touched on key issues and challenges affecting members of both the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the EMIs Chamber of Ghana.

For the GCT, the following key issues were discussed:

  1. A conducive and supportive policy and regulatory environment
  2. An enabling tax regime
  3. Protection for industry infrastructure
  4. Cost of doing business and ease of doing business
  5. Indebtedness to industry
  6. Sustainable promotion of local content, among others

Issues discussed for the EMIs Chamber meanwhile included:

  1. Repeal of the E-Levy law
  2. Facilitating cross-border payments
  3. Driving digital payments for People to Government as well as merchant payments
  4. Enabling policy and regulatory environments
  5. Cost and ease of access to the Ghana card database, among others.

The meeting forms part of the efforts of the two chambers to share their key issues with all parties ahead of the December 7 elections, with the hope that the issues are captured in their respective manifestos and implemented once they come into power.

The flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, gave his vision for the sector in which he had played active roles over the past 3 decades as Deputy Minister, Minister, and even Vice President and President. He assured members that all the issues raised in the Telecoms Manifesto and at the meeting would be dealt with, working in close collaboration with members of both chambers.

As part of both chambers plans to meet the flagbearers of the parties with representation in parliament, the two chambers are expected to meet with the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on June 7, 2024.

Source: Chamber News Desk.