Mobile Technology & Cyber Threats

Promoting E-Commerce in Ghana

Ruby Saakor TettehMinistry of Trade & Industry, Ghana

Sixth Annual African Dialogue Consumer Protection Conference September 2014 Lilongwe, Malawi

Definition & Policy Perspective E-commerce is the use of the internet for

marketing, identification, payment and delivery of goods and services – Ayo, Adewoye and Oni 2011

Policy Context Imperative to establish a legal framework on

consumer protection policy in light of electronic commerce

Consumer concerns about shopping online and by other electronic means due to security, confidentiality and redress

Barriers To E-commerce

1. Technical Factors Poor ICT Infrastructure & costs of

telecommunications-related services; Problems with access such as

communications, skills and computing technology;

2. Financial Factors Lack of investment capital; Electronic payment systems - online payment

using credit cards, store cards, debit cards etc;

Barriers To E-commerce Cont. 3. Logistical Factors

Complex, long winding and non-transparent customs clearance procedures;

Complex and slow business registration procedures. 4. Human Factors Illiteracy & Non-availability of trained people; Lack of policy research capacity in the public, private and

academic sectors; Potential threats to the privacy of personal and business data;5. Policy and Regulatory Factors A slow realization of the explosive potential of E-Commerce

on the part of governments; Lack of a clear, internationally agreed, regulatory framework

and clarity

Ghana Context

Second most internet fraud prone country in Africa and 7th most cyber-crime prone in the world

o Hacking of official & private websites o Abduction of teenagers and used to solicit sexual exploitation

abroad About 82% of cyber-crimes occur in Ghana every month and

about 1000 crimes a year International orders on the internet in Ghana and Nigeria have

been blocked by businesses in the US and Canada Cyber attackers target computers of bank customers with high

account balances and then roll out a customized version of already established maleware or virus to transfer large sums of money into mule accounts

Banking sector employees are inserting key loggers on machines to pick up passwords in collaboration with external agents

Cyber Threats Fake anti-virus Stranded traveller Fake escrow Advanced fee fraud – 419 Online banking fraud – stealing

passwords, account numbers and data

Online Relationships – Fraud

E-Commerce Challenges

Unavailability of Internet Services Lack of Awareness of Consumers Fraud Online Inability to Afford Services Computer Illiteracy by citizens Lack of knowledge on value of the

internet

Status of E-CommerceOnline Transactions Mobile Money Bill Payment - cash, water, electricity, DSTV

bills etc. Online Services Websites - tonaton.com, ghanatrade.gov.gh,

lamudi.com.gh, etransact.com.gh, etc. Internet banking transactions - ATM Transactions Internet Data Services on Cell Phones SMS Text Services Indicative E-Government/E-Services/E-Business Transactions E-Governance Services E-Applications – e-justice, e-immigration, e-procurement, e-

payment, e-services, e-education, e-health – GRA, RGD, Births & Deaths, Passports, etc.

Consumer Policy Prescriptions & Other Legislations

Government will ensure that consumers are provided with clear and sufficient information to make an informed choice about how to purchase online and through other electronic means

Government will support and encourage private-sector initiatives that include participation by consumer representatives and consumer protection pressure groups to be more vigilant and more effective to educate the population

Government will ensure stronger collaboration between the public and the private sectors

ICT for Accelerated Development Policy, 2003 & Implementation Strategy, 2005

Electronic Communications Act 775, 2008 Electronic Transactions Act 772, 2008 Data Protection Act 843, 2012

Recommendations Establish public key infrastructure to

authenticate transactions by using digital signatures, encryption & security measures for online transactions

Establish secure and effective payment systems

Effective stakeholder collaboration between policy makers & law enforcement agencies

Create consumer awareness on e-commerce and benefits

Thank you