Winneba (C/R) April 8, GNA - The minister for communication, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has said that Government is committed to the development of ICT as a tool to boost the country's economic growth. Mr Iddrisu said this in an address read for him at the launching of the 9th SRC week celebration of the University of Education, Winneba on Wednesday.

The celebration was under the theme "fighting cyber fraud: the role of the University Student". He said in December 2008 and January 2009, a number of laws were enacted for the ICT sector, which included the Electronic Transaction ACT, 2008 (Act 772) and the Electronic Communication Act, 2008 (Act 775). He said the essence of these laws are, to provide for and facilitate electronic communication and related transactions in the public interest. The minister said as part of the mandate to create an enabling environment, the ministry in August last year pursued, a number of sensitization workshops for key stakeholders.

He added that the purpose of the workshops was to create awareness of the existence of legal and regulatory structure on cyber-crime as well as set the stage for the implementation and enforcement of cyber security laws in the country.

Mr Iddrisu noted that there was the need for collaborative efforts in strengthening cyber security and preventing cyber fraud, adding that all must be involved in this fight.

The Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Ernest K. Awunta, who chaired the programme, urged the students to use their rich expertise to help educate the public, especially the youth, on the need to refrain from using ICT for fraudulent activities, including internet fraud known as "SAKAWA". The SRC President, Saeed Addul Faruk, in his address outlined some of activities planned for the week-long celebration, which included a float and a Miss UEW contest. An appeal for funds in aid of the children's ward of the Winneba government hospital yielded 145.00 Ghana Cedis. 8 April 10