Government has expressed concern over the rise in cyber-crimes such as internet fraud, cyber bullying, identify theft, spreading false information and hacking being perpetuated by some unscrupulous people through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya said it is government’s desire that as professionals and ordinary persons, people should guard against these vices and exhibit a high level of discipline, ethical conduct and proper use of the knowledge they possess in using ICT platforms.
Kafwaya said this in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Transport and Communications Director – Communications Yese Bwalya during the official opening of the 2020 ICT Business Forum in Lusaka organized by the Zambia Information Technology Authority (ZICTA).
“The ministry will also collaborate with ZICTA and various cooperating partners in launching the child online protection strategy to protect our youth from inappropriate and offensive content making our cyberspace safer,” he said.
“The Patriotic Front Government under the leadership of Edgar Lungu takes cognisance of the critical role that technology plays as a vehicle to drive Zambia towards attaining it’s developmental goals aimed at facilitating the country’s attainment of a knowledge-based society.”
Kafwaya said this can be seen in the massive investment in the ICT infrastructure over the last five years.
He added that government believes that having a cadre of innovative minds is critical to Zambia’s attainment of it’s development goals.
The Transport and Communications Minister also challenged ZICTA and the interested partners to develop an online platform that will provide information for all on the various innovations and the minds behind them to encourage and celebrate the innovators.
And ZICTA Managing Director Patrick Mutimushi said the authority is targeting innovations amongst the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
