By DisabilityNewsGH
The 9th edition of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), which was also the first in-country session, has taken place at in Accra, on 25th -26th April, 2022 under the theme “Towards a digitally inclusive and rights respecting Ghana.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah said the problems faced by the marginalised in the physical space have been directly transferred to the digital space creating hindrances for them.
In an interview with DisabilityNewsGH on the sidelines, a Data Protection Officer at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH), Mr. Emmanuel Gadasu said persons with disabilities (PWDs), like everyone else, have the responsibility to protect their privacy.
He advised PWDs to be careful about how they give out information about themselves to both individuals and organisations; adding that, they must always ask and be sure of the purpose for which their personal data are being sought.
Executive Director of Inclusive Tech Group, Dr. Millicent Agangiba said, as Ghana embarks on a digitalisation drive, it is important to ensure that no one is left behind. And to also ensure that the rights of the citizens regarding their personal data are protected. She noted that, even though Ghana has passed a data protection law, there are some gaps that need to be addressed.
“We want Ghana become a digital economy but while doing that, we should ensure that everybody is included, especially the marginalised; talk of people in the rural communities, talk of persons with disabilities who are mostly put in the poverty bracket. We have to envisage what is going to happen to them when we go fully digital”, she adds.
Challenges relating to connectivity and access to information in Ghana such as the high cost of data, lack of stable electricity and internet connectivity were also discussed. Mr Francis Amaning, the president of Internet Society Ghana indicated that Internet connectivity is crucial to harness the full benefit of digitalization. With almost of the Ghanaian population lacking access to internet, a good roadmap on digitalisation is required.
The forum intends putting together a comprehensive report that captures the gaps, boundaries and direction as to what Ghana needs to do as a nation that respects the rights of all, including persons with disabilities, and would be shared with relevant stakeholders and implementing bodies for action.
The event was sponsored by Paradigm Initiative, partnered by Inclusive Tech Group and the Internet Society Ghana Chapter.
DRIF is an important platform where conversations on digital policy in Africa are shaped, policy directions debated and partnerships forged for action.
DRIF22 gathered Ghana’s digital rights and digital inclusion community to interrogate ways to shape a digital rights-respecting country. The forum created a platform for discussing key issues in the digital rights space; developing action plans for enhancing digital rights and inclusion in Ghana and increasing networks and collaborations on digital rights and inclusion.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH