The 11th Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) has kicked off in Accra, Ghana's capital, urging governments in the global south to prioritise digital inclusion for their citizens.

Over three days, speakers from Africa are emphasising the critical aspect of digital inclusion, which involves ensuring that internet access is both affordable and available to all sectors of society.

Vice Chairman of the Board at Paradigm Initiative, Dr Aida Opoku-Mensah, urged participants to uphold their dedication to advancing digital rights and inclusion, emphasising the importance of embracing diverse viewpoints and recognizing unity as their collective strength.

She spotlighted PIN's Ripoti, a platform enabling individuals to report digital rights abuses, and Ayeta, a digital security platform offering vital assistance to human rights defenders, journalists, and activists.

“PIN’s annual report, Londa will offer indispensable insights into digital rights and inclusion across 26 African countries, serving as a guiding roadmap for policymakers, civil society organisations, governments, academia and relevant stakeholders.

Dr Opoku-Mensah further emphasised that the forum presented an opportunity to harness the transformative potential of technology for the benefit of both present and future generations.

“This is indeed an opportunity to create lasting memories that reflect the true spirit of collaboration and unity that defines this forum,” she said.

The Director-General of Ghana's Cybersecurity Authority, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, highlighted that digital inclusion goes beyond mere internet access; it also entails equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively engage in the digital economy.

“This requires investing in digital literacy and education initiatives to empower citizens with the skills they need to navigate the digital landscape and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the internet."

Dr Antwi-Boasiako pointed out Ghana as an example, where the utilisation of digital services like e-government platforms, internet banking, and online education has increased significantly among the population. However, he acknowledged that despite this growth, there remains a significant gap in access, particularly affecting marginalized groups and exacerbating socio-economic inequalities.

“The government acknowledges the revolutionary potential of the digital space to propel socio-economic advancement and enhance the quality of life for Ghanaians. It is for this reason that a massive digitalization campaign dubbed, “The Digital Ghana Agenda” was launched in 2017.”

Paradigm Initiative (PIN), in collaboration with partner organizations including E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA), University of Media, Arts and Communication - Institute of Journalism, Media Foundation for West Africa, Inclusive Tech Group, Internet Society (ISOC) Ghana Chapter, and Human Security Research Centre (HSRC), organized the three-day Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum. The event offered a platform for discussions, launches, and networking opportunities.

With a theme of "Fostering Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age," the forum featured 80 sessions covering various topics under sub-themes such as Trust and Accountability, Data Protection, Privacy and Surveillance, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, and Digital Inclusion and Marginalized Groups, addressing critical areas in the evolving tech landscape.