Representative of MFWA giving a presentation at the programme
Ghanaians have been encouraged to learn and understand their rights under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) to avoid any form of online gender-based violence (OGBV).
The Act recognises a person’s right (data subject rights) to protect their personal data or information by mandating a data controller or processor to process such personal data or information in accordance with the individual’s rights.
Understanding the rights of the citizenry under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (843), according to the Lead for Corporate Affairs at the Data Protection Commission, Ms. Pearl Gyekye, would enable the citizenry to hold institutions accountable for the use and processing of their personal data.
Ms. Gyekye was speaking at the opening of a day’s workshop on online gender-based violence (OGBV) in Ghana organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on Thursday.
She also advised the citizenry to be mindful of how they give out data to data controllers and share less, adding that, “if you share too much, people put these things together and they are able to identify you and it could cause you harm or distress.”
For his part, Programmes Officer at MFWA, Mr. Kwaku Krobea Asante, urged the government and civil society organisations (CSOs) to assist in monitoring, documentation, and reporting of gendered disinformation.
By working closely with affected communities and CSOs, Mr. Asante said, would actively challenge harmful narratives and misinformation targeted at specific genders.
Additionally, he underscored the need for digital platform companies to develop a comprehensive and context-based content moderation system.
In furtherance, he advocated for capacity building and awareness creation for journalists through workshops and training sessions, to equip them with the requisite skills and knowledge on ethical reporting, fact-checking, and media literacy.
Mr. Asante also stressed the need for the creation of a platform for journalists to enhance the sharing of knowledge and experiences and foster collaboration and collective growth within the ever-evolving media landscape.
The opening session of the workshop brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including government officials, CSOs, media practitioners, and online platform representatives.
Participants at the workshop engaged in insightful discussions on the prevalence and impact of online gender-based violence in Ghana, shedding light on the urgent need for effective strategies and ensuring the safety and dignity of online users, particularly, women and girls.
By Nafisatu Abdul Razak