Mobile network operator, Tigo, has called on stakeholders to help make the internet a safer and better place, especially for children and young adults in Ghana
The company has addressed the appeal to all stakeholders including internet service providers, policy makers, security agencies, child rights activists, parents and the media.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organised by J-Initiative, as part of Safer Internet Day, Tigo director for corporate affairs Gifty Bingley emphasised the importance of connectivity and accessibility in the education and development of children. She added that it was important for stakeholders including parents to ensure their safety online.
Tigo highlighted the steps they have taken to raise awareness on the importance of working towards creating a safer online environment for everyone. Bingley pointed out that in 2014 Tigo’s parent company, Millicom, signed a three-year partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to create standards for the telecoms industry aimed at promoting respect for the online rights of young people and to advance child online protection across all its operations.
She said following that global commitment, Tigo Ghana, has committed to child online protection and has been supporting local organisations such as J-Initiative to create awareness and build the capacity of stakeholders, especially parents, teachers and children.
“In 2016, we supported J-Initiative to train 86 teachers from 16 districts within the Greater Accra Region. Some 2,300 pupils from 20 selected schools were also trained on how to stay safe online. Safety awareness sessions were also done for parents in some churches in Accra,” she said.
