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Ministry to tackle cyber crime in Ghana

Page last updated at Thursday, March 26, 2009 18:18 PM // 1 Comment

cyber-crimeMr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications, on Thursday said the issue of cyber crime and internet fraud, popularly known as “sakawa” would be given serious attention.

He said, the involvement of the people, especially the youth, in this social menace needed to be dealt with to ensure that Ghana would not become a gateway for cyber crime.

The Minister was moving a motion in Parliament for the approval of GH¢18,720,755 for the services of the Ministry for the 2009 year.

Mr Iddrisu said a specific piece of legislation would be brought before the House to tackle cyber crime activities.

The House also approved a sum of GH¢159,015,198 for the Defence Ministry.

Lt. Gen. Henry Smith, Defence Minister, who moved the motion for the approval, said  the Ministry had to pay attention to areas such as armed robbery, drug trafficking, patrolling  the country’s territorial waters and oil prospecting field among others, and therefore  needed support from all.

A sum of GH¢32,896,982 was also approved for the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.

Mr Stephen Amoanor Kwao, the sector Minister said the Department of Social Welfare would be resourced to assist in addressing the needs of the vulnerable in society.

Meanwhile, a former Communications Minister, Dr. Benjamin Aggrey-Ntim revealed that about 82 cyber crimes occur in Ghana every month, and that is nearly one thousand crimes yearly. He said this at the 63rd Session of the Governing Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in Geneva, Switzerland.

Not long ago, there were reports that some United States and Canadian merchants have blocked over 70 percent of international online orders from Ghana and Nigeria due to fraud.

It is welcome news to hear the Minister say the problem would be given serious attention.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi with additional files from the GNA



Comments

1 Comment

  1. Baranga S. says:
    July 23, 2009 at 6:31 am

    I have been getting inter-acted by a Ghana National called Mr. Muhammad Mumuni, Tel no. +233 249327884 regarding Contract Procurement of ECOWAS, Contarct no.CG600400/IG/ARWS/CON/03/GH.

    How can I understand immediately whether it is a genuine contract or a Cyber Fraud?

    Early response will be highly appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Baranga S.
    INDIA
    +91 98230 54700.

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