Internet governance forum in Ghana
What is Internet governance?
Internet governance can be defined as the evolving policies and mechanisms under which the internet community's many stakeholders make decisions about the development and use of the internet.
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The term “Internet governance” embraces the key objectives of the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).
Internet governance is the development and application by governments, the private sector and civil society in their respective roles of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the internet.
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is an open forum which has no members. It was established by the World Summit on the Information Society in 2006. Since then, it has become the leading global multi-stakeholder forum on public policy issues related to internet governance.
Its UN mandate gives it convening power and the authority to serve as a neutral space for all actors on an equal footing. As a space for dialogue, it can identify issues to be addressed by the international community and shape decisions that will be taken in other forums. The IGF can also be useful in shaping the international agenda and in preparing the ground for negotiations and decision making in other institutions.
The IGF has no power of redistribution and yet it has the power of recognition – the power to identify key issues.
A small secretariat was set up in Geneva to support the IGF, and the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon appointed a group of advisers, representing all stakeholder groups to assist him in convening the IGF. The United Nations General Assembly agreed in December 2010 to extend the IGF’s mandate for another five years. The IGF is financed through voluntary contributions.
Why Internet Governance Forum (IGF)?
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) serves to bring people together from various stakeholder groups as equals in discussions on public policy issues relating to the internet. While there is no negotiated outcome, the IGF informs and inspires those with policy-making power in both the public and private sectors. At their annual meeting, delegates discuss, exchange information and share good practices with one another. The IGF facilitates a common understanding of how to maximise internet opportunities and address risks and challenges that may arise.
The IGF is also a space that gives developing countries the same opportunity as wealthier nations to engage in the debate on internet governance and to facilitate their participation in existing institutions and arrangements. Ultimately, the involvement of all stakeholders, from developed, as well as developing countries, is necessary for the future development of the Internet.
The IGF provides a space for dialogue where interested actors can take up an issue without concern that a decision may be taken against their interests.
Africa IGF
Africa’s contribution to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process has led to the formation of the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) in September, 2011.
Presently, there are five regional initiatives that are ongoing in Africa; which include the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), the East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF), Forum de Gouvernance de l'Internet en Afrique Centrale (FGI-CA), and the Southern Africa Internet Governance Forum (SAIGF). These regional initiatives, though active in their operation, do not yet cover all the countries in their respective regions.
Following a bid floated by the AfIGF secretariat which was based at ECA up to 2014 the various AfIGF sessions were successfully held in:
• Egypt, from 2 - 4 October 2012;
• Kenya, from 24 - 26 September 2013;
• Nigeria, from 10-12 July 2014; and
• Ethiopia, from 6-8 September 2015.
The 5th AfIGF is expected to be held in November, 2016 in a member state. It is worth noting that the AfIGF is usually held at least one month prior to the global IGF.
West Africa IGF
The West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) is a project that aims to promote Internet Governance issues in West Africa through a multi-stakeholder process. The project is run by a consortium led by the Free Software and Open Source Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA). Other members of the consortium include AfriNIC, PANOS West Africa, the IISD, APC, ISOC and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The project has received support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).
Ghana and IGF
The first IGF in Ghana took place in 2006 after the WSIS declaration. A second IGF took place in 2011 and the third in 2015. This year, Ghana is convening another IGF on the main theme, “Building a strong multi-stakeholder model for a sustainable development of the Internet in Ghana,” with the focus on establishing a solid multi-stakeholder engagement model to ensure that all stakeholders are included and participate actively in governance debates. The Ghana IG Forum is convened jointly by the Ministry of Communication and the Internet Society Ghana Chapter. The forum, which will be held at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in IT on August 18 , 2016, is open to all citizens and organisations interested in contributing to the development of the Internet by making meaningful inputs in the governance debate.
Way Forward
Since its inception, Internet Governance forums have contributed significantly to the development of the internet by spotting and proposing non-binding recommendation for removing bottlenecks and policy interventions. This year, the global forum will focus on bringing on board the next billion and ensuring inclusiveness. As the internet continues to grow, internet governance forums will become increasingly important for ensuring affordable, safe and free internet.