Government Urged to Ensure Information Officer in All Ministries
The Gambia Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has emphasized the need for an information officer in all government ministries to ensure that information is readily available to the public. The forum, which was held recently, brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss issues related to internet governance and digital rights.
Challenges to Good Governance
According to participants at the forum, the lack of transparency and accountability in government institutions is a major challenge to good governance. They urged the government to establish an information officer in all ministries to ensure that citizens have access to relevant information on government activities and policies.
“We need to have an information officer in all ministries to ensure that information is readily available to the public,” said Ya Amie, a participant at the forum. “This will help to promote transparency and accountability in government institutions.”
Data Protection and Privacy
The participants also emphasized the importance of data protection and privacy, particularly in the private sector. They noted that while data protection laws are essential, they should not stifle innovation.
“We need to strike a balance between data protection and innovation,” said Mbanyick, a representative from Insist Global. “We cannot have laws that are too strict and stifling innovation.”
Child Online Safety
The participants also discussed issues related to child online safety and the importance of seeking consent before sharing personal information. They noted that children under the age of 18 should not be able to give consent on any situation.
“We need to ensure that our data is used for only what we signed up for,” said Beran Dondeh Gillen, a participant at the forum. “We should all read the draft bill and ensure that there are provisions for seeking consent before sharing personal information.”
Digital Literacy and Education
The participants also urged the government to prioritize digital literacy and education to enable citizens to navigate the online space safely.
“We need to have proper data analysis to inform policy-making,” said Mohamed Lamin Samateh, a representative from the Ministry of Finance Policy Unit. “We should be able to get proper data to analyze and make informed decisions.”
Conclusion
The Gambia IGF forum was organized by the Internet Society (ISOC) in collaboration with other stakeholders. The theme of the forum was “Internet Governance for Sustainable Development.” The participants emphasized the need for transparency, accountability, and digital literacy in ensuring good governance and sustainable development.
Key Takeaways
- Establish an information officer in all government ministries to ensure transparency and accountability
- Strike a balance between data protection and innovation
- Prioritize child online safety by seeking consent before sharing personal information
- Promote digital literacy and education to enable citizens to navigate the online space safely