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Prof Nii Quaynor bemoans internet and media shut-down in Africa.

A former member of the United Nations Secretary-General Advisory Group on ICT Prof Nii Narku Quaynor has said internet shutdowns in the ’90s in Ghana may have been the cause of the complete elimination of local participation in the telecommunication sector in Ghana.

He explained that internet shutdowns are estimated to cost millions of dollars and it takes a longer time to recover and local companies might lack that strength to withstand the shocks and loss of investments it comes with.

He lamented that the pioneering internet company in Ghana, the NCS was shut down in 2003 and bemoaned that, “unfortunately we recently see history repeating itself with the space of shutdown of media companies in Ghana”. Adding that, internet and media shutdowns must be condemned.

Prof Nii Quaynor delivering the keynote address to mark the 10th anniversary of Savana Signatures in Tamale said, “We must help educate, sensitize and put in place guarantees, protections of freedoms but also allow everyone to exercise their rights to defend against abuse of freedom of expression”.

Prof Quaynor, who is also the first African to be elected to the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) challenged civil society organization to venture into the ICT sector in their bids to improving the living conditions of locals.

A former director of corporate affairs at the African University College of communication Ogochukwu Chidiebere Nweke admonished the youth to use the internet effectively, saying it could enhance participatory governance to engage decision-makers on issues that affect their communities.

Mr Ogochukwu Nweke, who is also the Vice President, Synergies Institute Ghana said the over 6% Ghanaians using the internet could use it for research activities and also an avenue of promoting the business activities that will earn them a good income.

Professor, Seidu Al-hassan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of University for Development Studies (UDS), who chaired the event, lauded Savana Signatures for its contributions to national development and called on other organisations to mimic its examples in contributing to the development of the country.

Professor Al-hassan assured of the readiness of UDS to partner with Savana Signatures to use ICT in education to enhance opportunities for students.

The event saw the exhibition of some of the works of Savana Signatures in the areas of quality education, skills development, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including maternal and child health.

Savana Signatures also launched its Sexual Health Education Plus (SHE+) App designed to engage, educate and inform young people about their SRHR needs.

Executive Director of Savana Signatures Mr John Stephen Agbenyo commended all their partners and donors who believed in the organisation over the years and contributing towards improving lives in deprived communities across Ghana.

He said the organization has so far worked in over 45 districts across five regions of the country, and it currently operates in three thematic areas including quality education, skills development, SRHR including maternal and child health.

Savana Signatures started in 2005 as the Northern Information Network for School (NINS) as a community-based organization with the aim of formation of ICT clubs in basic schools to expose young people and their teachers to ICT education, which was at that time relatively new to Ghana’s educational system.

In 2009, high interest and enthusiasm by beneficiaries and potential for more impact in advancing ICTs and applying such innovations into other aspects of their lives saw NINS transition into Savana Signatures, an ICT for development NGO working to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in Ghana.

Savana Signatures is a strong pillar of youth-led initiatives, advancing nouvelle and innovative ICT solutions to impact lives.

Source: Diamondfmonline.com/Ken Zure

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