Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, has urged the government to establish a special court to tackle the rising wave of cybercrime in Ghana.

in a statement delivered on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, she highlighted the urgent need for a more structured and efficient legal response to combat the growing threats posed by cybercriminals, particularly through social media platforms.

Dr. Rawlings shared her personal experience of being targeted by cybercriminals, stating that she has encountered numerous fraudulent accounts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp.

Despite having verified accounts, she has had to report these fake profiles to the Cybersecurity Authority and the Ghana Police Service repeatedly.

However, she noted the delay in response from these platforms and the ongoing creation of fraudulent accounts, which continue to harm both public figures and unsuspecting individuals.

“The situation is worsening, with victims becoming more vulnerable and helpless,” Dr. Rawlings said. “These criminals not only impersonate public figures but also deceive and exploit people, causing significant financial and reputational damage. We need stronger legislation and increased public education on online safety.”

The MP for Klottey-Korle also pointed out that cybercrime affects not only politicians but ordinary citizens across the country. Despite efforts by the Ghana Police Service, including recent high-profile crackdowns, many cybercriminals evade justice due to the challenges in addressing the fluid and high-tech nature of cybercrime within the current court system.

Dr. Rawlings further highlighted disturbing cases where individuals, despite overwhelming evidence, were released by the courts, and equipment used in criminal activities was returned to the suspects. “This sends a message of impunity to criminals, allowing them to continue their operations and wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people,” she said.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings

To address this escalating issue, Dr. Rawlings called for the establishment of specialized cybercrime courts, stressing that, these courts would be presided over by judges proficient in digital law and cybercrime, ensuring that complex cases are handled efficiently and expeditiously.

She argued that such courts would enable the Ghana Police Service to focus resources on investigating cybercrimes, while also serving as a deterrent for criminals.

In addition to the creation of specialized courts, Dr. Rawlings emphasized the need for greater interagency collaboration among the Ghana Police Service, the Cybersecurity Authority, the Bureau of National Communications, and other relevant bodies. Enhanced coordination would improve intelligence sharing and help authorities track and apprehend cybercriminals more effectively.

The MP also recommended the procurement of advanced technology, such as an IMSI catcher tactical van, to enhance the investigative capabilities of the police. An IMSI catcher is a sophisticated tool designed to intercept mobile phone signals, enabling law enforcement to monitor communications in real-time and gather admissible evidence against criminals.

However, Dr. Rawlings acknowledged the need for strict oversight and regulation to ensure that the technology is used responsibly and does not infringe on citizens’ privacy.

She called for stronger legal frameworks to compel platforms like Facebook to take more responsibility in preventing the use of their platforms for criminal activities. She also urged the government to invest in public education to advise citizens against engaging in financial transactions via social media.

Some other MPs who contributed to the statement also shared their personal experience with fake social media accounts created by criminals to defraud unsuspecting public.

 

 

Source: Felix Nyaaba//expressnewsghana.com

 

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