The Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey-Korle constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on her fellow MPs to address the alarming increases in cases of cybercrime in Ghana.
She emphasized that the matter is personal to her, as she has encountered multiple fraudulent accounts impersonating her across various social media platforms.
“I have had to report to the Cyber Security Authority and the Ghana Police Service repeatedly,” she disclosed.
Reading a statement titled ‘The disturbing trends in cybercrime,’ the Klottey-Korle lawmaker stressed the need for stringent and targeted legislation to protect individuals on digital platforms, along with greater public education on online safety.
She observed that one of the main challenges is the slow response of various social media platforms to reports of fake accounts. Despite verified accounts being established for public figures, criminals continue to create fraudulent accounts daily.
Hon. Zanetor pointed out that these malicious actors not only impersonate public figures but also deceive and exploit unsuspecting individuals, causing severe financial and reputational damage.
According to her, despite commendable efforts by the Ghana Police Service, including recent high-profile crackdowns, many cybercriminals evade justice due to a disconnect between the modus operandi of the court system and the highly technical and fluid nature of cybercrime.
She emphasized that tackling cyber fraud requires a proactive and comprehensive approach, particularly enhanced inter-agency collaboration between the Ghana Police Service’s intelligence unit, the Bureau of National Communications, the Cyber Security Authority, and other relevant bodies.
“Effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operations are essential to swiftly identify and apprehend cybercriminals operating within our borders,” she noted.
This worrying trend, she said, affects not only Members of Parliament but also ordinary citizens, leading to tarnished reputations and a loss of trust in digital interactions.
“There have even been instances where individuals, despite overwhelming evidence of their complicity in crimes, were released, and equipment used in criminal activities (containing evidence) was returned to them on court orders.”
“Mr. Speaker, this creates a scenario where criminals feel a sense of impunity as they continue to destroy reputations and cause financial and psychological harm,” she stated.
She proposed that specialized cybercrime courts should be established and presided over by judges proficient in digital law, given the novelty of cybercrime,
The mandate of such courts, she explained, would be to expedite trials and ensure thorough adjudication of complex cyber cases.
“This would empower the Ghana Police Service to fully invest time, money, and human resources in investigating cybercrime while deterring criminals and ultimately protecting our citizens,” she stated.
Hon. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings made the following recommendations:
- Greater inter-agency coordination and collaboration (specifically between the Ghana Police Service’s intelligence unit, the National Signals Bureau, and the Cyber Security Authority).
- Establishment of special courts to handle cybercrime cases.
- Procurement of equipment and technology to enhance the crime-fighting capabilities of the Ghana Police Service and other intelligence agencies.
- Development of a legal framework with effective legislative oversight to protect citizens’ rights and privacy from the misuse of intrusive technology by state agencies.
- Legislation compelling social media platforms, such as Facebook, to implement stricter measures preventing their platforms from being used for criminal activity.
- Increased public education campaigns advising people against engaging in financial transactions via social media.
She urged swift action to address the cybercrime menace and ensure that justice is served while protecting digital spaces for all Ghanaians.
Source: Accra Times