The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has called on Ghanaian youth to master skills in the fields of cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the launch of the Ghana Anti-Disinformation Coalition project, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that equipping the younger generation with digital hygiene and technical expertise is the first line of defense against the “canker” of manufactured reality.
“You need to understand what is the hygiene that you need to have around your devices,” she told the participants. “There are many of you in this room who I’m hoping will take an interest in cybersecurity, in AI, and hopefully will become the champions for cybersecurity and AI,” she said.
The event, attended by students from various second-cycle institutions across the country, highlighted the critical need for digital literacy in an era of rapidly evolving technology.
The MP noted that the harm associated with misinformation has the potential to jeopardize the future, making it imperative for the youth to become proactive “champions” in the digital space rather than passive consumers.
Dr. Charity Binka, Board Chairperson of Penplusbytes, warned that “fake news” is no longer just an annoyance but a “direct hit” on public health. She shared a personal anecdote of finding her own mother with various unverified medications after hearing “miracle” claims on the radio, illustrating the physical danger of disinformation.
The Deputy Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana, Ingrid Schulerud, advocated for cross-border cooperation.
She highlighted the need for “digital literacy and the skill to search for, evaluate, and responsibly share online information” as a shared global responsibility.
The launch of the Ghana Anti-Disinformation Coalition aims to create a structured response to the growing influence of online content that erodes public trust and fuels division.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
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