FOC To Hold 8th Annual Conference On Cyber Security In Accra

An Organisation calling itself Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) says it will be holding its 8th Annual Conference on Cyber Security which seeks to renew commitments and pathways towards a rights-respecting framework for Internet freedom through achieving certain key goals.

According to an Executive at FOC Support Unit, Charles Bradley, the Conference will feature high-level plenary sessions, panel discussions and capacity building workshops attuned to the FOC’s Program of Action 2019-2020.

Addressing the media in Accra, Charles Bradley said "The 8th Annual Freedom Online Conference being held under the theme 'Achieving a Common Vision for Internet Freedom' will provide the needed forum to re-examine the current and imminent challenges to freedom online."

He added that the conference will also allow for the sharing of perspectives and identify possible solutions to these problems.

Mr. Bradley further disclosed that in line with the aim of the conference, several sessions and workshops will emphasize on digital inclusion and accessibility.

He stated that the conference will focus on Digital Inclusion, Safeguarding Elections in West Africa and The role of Human Rights in Artificial Intelligence Content Moderation Trends and Challenges among others.

"Child Online Protection, Online Misinformation and Digital Safety of Human Rights Defenders are also part of the issues we will be discussing at the 2 day conference," he said.

He also revealed that with Ghana being the chair of the conference, particular focus will be given to the current state of digital rights across Africa.

Mr. Bradley hinted that Ghana's Minister for Communications, Ursula Akuffo will deliver the keynote address of the conference.

Charles Bradley mentioned that despite Switzerland being the latest country to join the Coalition, all member states signed the FOC founding document (Freedom Online: Joint Action for Free Expression on the Internet) and committed to the principle that the human rights people have offline are the same online.

He disclosed that Ghana has been the chair of the Coalition since March 2019, taking over from Germany.

Charles Bradley explained that the selection of Ghana to chair the Coalition was based on its commitment to human rights and internet freedom.

He added that Ghana’s current role in the FOC further reinforces our credentials on the world stage as a country that prioritizes human rights online as well as it does offline.

Member of Parliament for La Dade Kotopon, Vincent Sowah Odotei revealed that under the leadership of the Minister for Communications, a number of strategic initiatives have been instituted to further credentials on the international stage.

"We have to make sure that we protect our cyber security space. That is why government is making sure that The National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy which is being drafted will sent to Cabinet then later Parliament," he stated.

He noted that this will place Ghana among other countries that take cybersecurity seriously.

The Conference is scheduled to take place from the 6-7th February, 2020 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).