"Academic 419": locating computer crimes in the use of ICT for the management of educational systems in Ghana- the case of University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The rapid evolution of information tech no logy, the pro Iiferation of computer and media devices and the rapid growth in the use ICT and the internet for organisational management have spawned new forms of crimes and made old crimes easier to commit it. References to news in Ghanaian newspapers confirm the rising incidence of these crimes. A review of available literature, however, portrays a paucity of research that explores such crimes in African and for that matter, Ghanaian settings. In this position paper, we use "Academic 419" as a metaphor to describe computer crimes, highlighting some of such crimes from the international literature with a major focus on the types that can potentially occur in the University of Cape Coast. For us, it is imperative for leadership and management in their utilisation of ICT to be more vigilant in security issues and accept the need to safeguard their ICT systems to achieve maximal efficiency and effectiveness in their institutions. This objective can positively be attained when directed research such as we advocate for are conducted to explore all related facilitating factors in order to align the design and change in direction for the secure and effective implementation of the University of Cape Coast lCT policy.