By Ragan M. Conteh
The Parliamentary Committee on the Legislature, including stakeholders, has discussed the Bill entitled, “The Cybercrime Act 2020.”
The deliberation took place at Committee Room One in Parliament building.
The Cybercrime Act 2021, being an Act to provide for the prevention of the abusive use of computer system, is geared towards providing for the timely and effective collection of electronic evidence for the purpose of investigation and prosecution of cybercrime.
It also provides for the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure as well as providing for facilitation of international cooperation in dealing with cybercrime matters and to provide for other related matters.
Speaking during the discussion, the deputy Leader of Government, Hon Bashiru Sillikie, said the bill came at the right time as they have been victims of cyber bullying by some unscrupulous members of the public.
The Chief Whip of the Opposition, Hon Hassan Sesay, said they are exposed to cybercrimes bullying, blackmail, people go into people’s data, this he said must stop so as to secure the general citizenry of this country.
He said that, as they continue to modernize communication, people will always continue to improve on their ability to beat the system. He said they must try to secure people from unnecessary exploitation by other individuals who know how to navigate through the internet.
Other speakers, who made meaningful contribution towards the discussion, include the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Chairman of Information and Communications and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Kwame Yankson, said the Act was part of the ministry’s reforms to keep track on the violators.