The Ghana Youth Tech Summit, recently held at the Accra Digital Center under the theme “Leveraging Technology for Social Impact,” brought together a dynamic assembly of youth, educators, and innovators to explore the transformative power of technology.
The event underscored the critical need to educate the next generation of internet users and empower them to stay on the safer side of the digital space.
Gabriel Ofori Appiah, Director of Safeguarding, Awareness, and Outreach at the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF), delivered a compelling keynote address, urging young people to harness the digital space responsibly and innovatively to drive social change.
In his presentation, Mr. Appiah underscored the immense potential of technology in addressing critical global challenges such as education, climate change, and healthcare.
He encouraged Generation Z to utilize their creativity and digital tools to tackle pressing issues like renewable energy and access to big data for improved health outcomes.
“The digital gadgets that we are using, we are using only 4%—the other 96% is the dark web. For this reason we need to use it wisely. It is good and it is bad. But the bad outweighs the good,” Mr. Appiah revealed.
He added: “Education can now come to your doorstep through the digital space,” he said, emphasizing the accessibility and inclusivity that technology offers.
However, Appiah cautioned against the misuse of digital tools, highlighting the importance of online safety. He compared navigating the digital world to handling a blade—useful but potentially harmful if not approached with care.
“There is a caution for us to be safe online. Just not being safe you also need to be a catalyst for change in your space. If you are a website designer in your space, what do you put there to make a change in the digital space?
If you are a robotic guy or somebody who is into robots, you need to put things that will keep people safe in there.
Safety is better than sacrifice. I urge you, all young people, internet safety is a must. What you need to do as young people to be safe online, you need to think before you post.
…Nowadays, young people post without thinking. They think that anything they put there is okay. But have you thought of this? Is it helpful? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Is it impactful? This is some of the things you need to think before you post.
Otherwise it will come back to you. I urge all young people to make sure that they need to think or ponder over this before they do or manoeuvre in the digital realm. Safety is a must. Online abuse is abuse.
….As young people, we need to be careful. Most of the digital space save their information in a server you don’t know.
We don’t read before even we are set. We need to go in a smart way on a smart device.
Do you put all your information on the digital space? Be careful. Meet. Young people meet online. They chat. They meet the people. Most of the young people are being raped online.
When I say raped online, they meet physical without informing their parents and the perpetrators rape them.”
He outlined several online risks facing young people, including cyberbullying, grooming, sextortion, and addiction. Appiah advocated for solutions that incorporate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics to combat these challenges.
The Power of Smart Digital Practices
Appiah introduced the acronym “SMART” to guide safe online behavior:
• S: Stay safe by protecting personal information and avoiding unnecessary data sharing.
• M: Meet others online cautiously, ensuring physical meetups are secure and well-informed.
• A: Accept only verified information and connections, avoiding blind trust in strangers or false narratives.
• R: Reflect on content before posting, considering its necessity, kindness, and impact.
• T: Tell a trusted adult about concerning online experiences or threats.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a positive digital footprint and avoiding actions that could harm reputations in the future. “Think before you post,” Appiah advised.
Driving Social Impact Through Technology
The keynote also focused on the role of youth in driving social impact through technological innovation.
Mr. Appiah urged young people to channel their time and resources into creating tools and platforms that promote safety, sustainability, and inclusivity. From designing safer websites to innovating clean energy solutions, he called on participants to be catalysts for change in their communities.
A Call to Action
Appiah concluded his address with a resounding message: “A better internet is a safer internet.”
He implored young attendees to embrace their role as digital citizens, leveraging technology for good while remaining vigilant about online safety.
The Ghana Youth Tech Summit served as a platform to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders to navigate the digital age responsibly, ensuring that technology remains a tool for progress and positive impact in Ghana and beyond.
