Nalerigu: Students counseled on dangers, safe use of the internet

The National Lead for the Computer Emergency Response Team, CERT-GH under the Ministry of Communications, Audrey Mireku has admonished the youth to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in the cyberspace to improve upon their lives and avoid engaging in cyber related crimes and practices that negatively affect them and the nation.

She mentioned mobile money fraud, impersonation, cyberbullying, child pornography, hacking, sextortion and romance fraud, among others as crimes that occur in the cyberspace that the youth must guard against.

Mrs Mireku stated this at a sensitisation programme organised as part of the National Cybersecurity Awareness Month events in the North East Regional capital, Nalerugu at the Nalerugu Senior High School.

She underscored the importance of the cybersecurity awareness programme and said with the level of cyber related cases in the country, there is the need for the citizenry especially the youth who are the future leaders to be educated on the 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' of the internet.

Mrs Mireku advised the students to be careful about the kind of messages and pictures they post online, saying it is unacceptable and "unhygienic" for people to post their nude pictures online.

Read also: Cybercrimes threaten our collective security - Ursula

To the students, she said if they post their naked pictures online it will affect them in future in their efforts to get employment, contest for local or national public positions or even marriage.

She touched on mobile money fraud and urged the participants to be careful not to be defrauded, saying if they have not signed up for any competition and someone sent them messages that they have won prizes among other fraudulent schemes they should report to the National Cybersecurity Centre.

Where to call for help

Speaking about the Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact, Mrs Mireku entreated the participants to endeavour to report cyber related crimes to the National Cybersecurity Centre using the various avenues.

They are;

• Whatsapp - 050160311,
• Call or send SMS messages – 292
• Email - report@cybersecurity.gov.gh
• Download Mobile App - NCSC Ghana (for more information).

Mr. Nelson Darko, a Programme Officer for Child Online Protection under the National Cybersecurity Centre took the students through tips on staying safe online dubbed "SMART".

He advised the participants to stay safe online by not giving out their personal details such as phone numbers, date of birth etc. and avoid meeting up with people they have only met online.

They must also desist from accepting messages, files, pictures and friend requests from strangers.

He urged the students to be mindful of the things they see online because not everything online is reliable.

Mr. Darko counselled the students to tell their caregivers, teachers and parents or trusted adults if they feel worried or not sure of someone or something online.

He also advised parents and teachers to guide the children in surfing the internet.

Madam Gladys Mariam Osman, Deputy Director, Programmes at the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE Headquarters, Accra, highlighted the civic and moral aspects of using the internet and advised the students to be civic and conscious any time they use internet related platforms because whatever they do will not only negatively or positively affect them but will impact on the image of their families, communities and the nation as a whole.

We need more education
Commenting on the programme, Assistant Headmistress of the Nalerugu Senior High School, Samiatu Attu said the programme was very educative and informative.

She noted that the school is confronted with cyber related crimes as some of the students are involved in the practice.

To her, the sensitisation programme is a lifeline as it has conscientise the students about the dangers and consequences involved in engaging in cybercrime, assuring that the students will now be mindful of posting nude pictures on the internet.

She advocated the organisation of a training of trainers workshop to ensure that the school and the community have some people who will constantly educate the students and their parents on cybersecurity and cybercrimes, adding that "We need more of the education".

A total of 1,744 students and 100 teachers participated in the programme.

The teachers and students shared their experiences on mobile money fraud and the use of nude pictures online among other cybercrimes.

A Form Three student, Safiya Sulemana who was given a Nasco palmtop tablet for winning the cybersecurity competition thanked the Ministry of Communications for the education and appealed for the programme to be organised regularly to enable them to be abreast of issues about cybersecurity.

Other students who took part in the competition were given consolation prices.

Nayiri's Palace
The Paramount Chief for the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga noted that the presence of the sensitisation team in the region is an indication that the issues of cybercrime is prevalent and encouraged the team members not to relent in their efforts at ensuring that people use the internet wisely and productively.