Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on African nations to actively build local capacity to contribute to global digital standards and engineer technological systems that directly address the continent’s socio-economic realities.
Speaking at the official opening of the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) in Accra, the Vice President highlighted the urgent need for robust homegrown institutions, expertise, and safeguards as emerging technologies continue to reshape modern society.
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the late former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted his seminal contribution to establishing the global Internet Governance Forum.
She reiterated his firm conviction that key decisions surrounding the governance of the internet must remain inclusive, bringing together governments, the private sector, technical experts, civil society, and the broader public to shape a safe digital environment.
The Vice President emphasized that while the internet has revolutionised education, commerce, and communication, African nations must remain proactive in mitigating associated digital risks.
She highlighted Ghana’s ongoing national initiatives under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, including the One Million Coders Programme and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, both designed to equip young people and small businesses with crucial technical skills for employment and innovation.
Concluding her address, Prof Opoku-Agyemang underscored the mandatory duty of protecting children online, fortifying national data governance, and upholding fundamental human rights in the digital age. She urged parliamentarians, the judiciary, industry leaders, and citizens across Africa to collaborate closely during the forum to ensure a safer, more inclusive, and accessible digital future for the continent.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
