Say NO To Internet Fraud!!!

The internet is the largest global network that connects users in different locations through the Internet Protocol (IP). Developed initially to improve communication, the internet has evolved over the decades to become the leading resort for researchers, a reliable home for education and job opportunities and a fertile ground for many businesses.

It has become the intimate friend of many, especially the youth and teenagers, transforming them for both good and bad purposes. Consequently, our generation is driven by the power of the internet, which keeps rising along with human civilization. In fact, the internet is modern civilization itself, as the words of Doc Searls better put it "the net is the new infrastructure for civilization itself".

However, the impact of this modern civilization on the youth, especially in recent times, has been more deleterious than desiring, considering the alarmingly increasing rates of internet fraud, scam businesses and cyber attacks. With the wild wind of fraudulent internet activities blowing harshly across the length and breadth of our dear country, it's no surprise to hear that Ghana loses 30 to 60 million USD yearly due to internet fraud.

Even more alarming is the fact that most of the perpetrators are the youth (Senior High School graduates, tertiary students and unemployed graduates) and one begins to wonder what at all has eaten the consciences of these young ones?

For a developing country like Ghana, with a not-very-impressive literacy rate and a "malnourished" science and technology field, to be listed among the countries with the leading fraudulent activities in the world is not a feat our authorities should be proud of.

The law-enforcement agencies have been too kind to these "bad guys". Countless people have been victimized. Individuals, families, companies etc have all had their fair share of this reckless attitude and if the government has been looking for a better reason to harden the laws against internet fraud, I think it has got one: it's now or never.

There must be a stop to the abuse of the internet for selfish, personal gain. The internet came to transform society to a better one, to create a conducive environment for everyone to make a better living and build a brighter future.

Take a good look at the developed Nations, the internet is their masterpiece of operation. Their businesses are blooming because they are transacted online, which is faster and more convenient. The top world billionaires, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zukerberg among others, are all making it big through the same internet that has become the weapon our youth are using to kill the future of our nation.

There are a lot of jobs and job opportunities available on the internet so why can't these scammers rather channel their "skills" into one of these fields and leave us alone?

 "The internet is the town square for the global village of tomorrow" Bill Gates, so government should pick on and deal harshly with the few bad nuts that are trying to channel the proceeds of this "town square" into their private pockets and ruin the future of our nation.

Let's all as individuals, and citizens of our dear country, become activists against criminal act. SAY NO TO INTERNET FRAUD!!!

By: Foli Christian 
(Campus Radio Ghana)
folichristian9@gmail.com
0208310031

Campus Radio Ghana