Accra, July 13, GNA - Mr. Joseph Ayikoi Otoo, Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, observed on Wednesday that Ghana's ICT for Accelerated Development Policy would chart a roadmap for its development in the emerging information society. For this reason, he said, Ghanaians should support the implementation of the provisions of the policy document to enable the nation to achieve the aspirations of the vision to transform it into a high income, information-rich, knowledge-based and technology-driven economy. "We are living in an era where knowledge of Information and Communication Technology is a must for everybody," he said.
Mr Ayikoi Otoo made the observation at the Second National Legal Information and Knowledge Management Workshop in Accra for 30 participants. Organized jointly by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and AITEC, the workshop with the theme: "Information and Communication Technology and Today's Corporate Counsel", is being attended by 30 people. It aims at enhancing the expertise of participants, mainly members of the GBA, in managing cases and modern ICT trends. Speakers at the two-day workshop would treat topics such as, "Knowledge Management for Law Practice", "Legal Database Management", "The Ghana Computer Misuse Act 2005" and "The Electronic Transaction Bill 2005."
Mr. Ayikoi Otoo noted that ICT, the world over, was rapidly becoming the solution for removing tedious restrictions affecting cross-border trade. That is why, he said, the workshop was unique in seeking to enlighten the participants and bring their profession into the 21 Century and to modern trends in ICT.
The A-G expressed optimism that in the wake of the workshop, participants would not only reduce the hard copy files in their chambers, but also enhance their legal research works. "At the click of a button, we should be able to determine our workload and have exact knowledge of where we are with our cases." Mr Ayikoi Otoo cautioned the workshop participants against the security risks associated with ICT and mentioned cyber crimes, unlawful access to critical information, electronic frauds targeted mainly at the banks, as some of the risks.
"The transmission of sensitive and critical information through local and global electronic messaging networks involves an element of security risk to governments, organizations and business establishments." Mr Kwami Ahiabenu, Team Leader, AITEC Ghana, noted with satisfaction that the process of capacity building in legal knowledge management through the workshops, would help to reduce delays in the administration of justice at the law courts to the barest minimum. On April 1 last year, GBA and AITEC organized the first ever Legal Information and Knowledge Workshop for 40 participants.