KOFI ANOKYE OWUSU-DARKO (BLOG 1)

  I do not intend to delve into the merits and demerits of the E-levy in widening the tax net which is debatable or a source of revenue generation because, of course; it will generate revenue and figures show. Taxation is not only a tool for revenue generation for present consumption but a means of nudging the citizens, as rational thinking economic beings to adopt or influence a certain behavior in their dealings or economic decisions for the benefit of their future and the economy as a whole. it is also used to drive the economy into a certain future direction. It then also becomes a sort of moral suasion tool for decision making. Economics 101, tells us that, if we want to encourage the consumption of local rice, we increase duty on imported rice. If we want to discourage the use of overaged vehicles, we increase the taxes on them. If we want to protect the local poultry farms, we put high taxes on imported frozen chicken. So what behavior do we intend to encourage or discoura

  General data protection principles require that data collected must:                                 i.             be obtained and processed fairly,                                ii.             have been obtained for specified or explicit and legitimate purposes,                              iii.             not be further processed in a manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes,                              iv.             be retained subject to appropriate security measures against unauthorized access, and                                 v.             be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects.   The Telcos and the National Communication Authority are capturing our biometrics again for the purpose of the SIM registration when the Ghana card which already has our biometrics is being used as the only form of identification. Is there something wrong with the earlier capture? Are we as data subjects at risk? Has it been compromised hence

  The next world is the e-world and every country is positioning herself to either have a first mover advantage or take advantage of what has already been done by others so as not to re-invent the wheel. The next e-generation may not need the traditional physical brick and mortar schools, courts, offices, hospitals as we have now since everything will be prefixed with “e”. Countries that do not start the change management process of moving their people, government, private sector business and economies “on-line” would be doing a big disservice to their next generation of e-citizens. It is heartwarming to see the Vice-President trying to champion the actualization of the existing e-government agenda in Ghana. However, there is the need to institutionalize this process of digital transformation through a body. This body will take a holistic approach with a blueprint of where we want e-Ghana to be in may be 20 years instead of a piece meal approach with no known specific destination for

INTRODUCTION   Cybersecurity according to the Cybersecurity Act,2020 (Act 1038) is about protecting a computer or computer system from unauthorized access or attack so the system is available and operational, its integrity is maintained, its information is both confidential with the integrity maintained. Act 1038 established a Cybersecurity Authority (CSA), with objects including to prevent, manage and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents as well as promote the development of cybersecurity in the country to ensure a secured and resilient digital ecosystem. It is therefore the responsibility of the CSA to make sure critical information infrastructures are protected from cybercrime. Cybercrime means the use of cyberspace, information technology or electronic facilities to commit a crime and a critical information infrastructure according to Act 1038 is any computer system or network that is essential for economic and social well-being of the citizens which includes banking

  INTRODUCTION A fundamental human right is a right every person as a human being is supposed to enjoy as a form of basic needs whether rich or poor. This is inalienable and should not ordinarily be violated. So everybody once born in any part of the world starts on ground zero. These rights include but not limited to the right to life, the right to health, the right to education, the right to work, the right to take part in the cultural life of the community, the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right to freedom of thought and conscience as well as the right to freedom of opinion and expression. In the traditional world as we have known it, freedom of movement requires us to walk or drive freely on the street to attend social gatherings by way of freedom of assembly and association, go to church by way of freedom of worship, go to school by way of right to education and cannot be violated without just cause if not in the interest of the society in general as speci