Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Emmanuel Tornyi
Published on 2024-02-20 16:06:03
Recently, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia introduced a Bus Monitoring system that has caught the attention of Yayra Koku, a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). As Koku delved into the intricacies of the system, he was surprised to discover that it was not as innovative as it was claimed to be.
Upon further investigation, Koku found out that the so-called groundbreaking system was actually a readily available plug-and-play software, contradicting Bawumia’s claim of Ghanaian innovation. He reached out to a friend who was experienced with a similar CCTV system for Uber, and this revelation raised doubts about the originality of the system.
The Tap and Go Transport Service was launched by Dr. Bawumia in Accra on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the office of Metro Mass Limited. This digital platform is the first intra and inter-city public transport service to onboard this unique system. It offers a digital card preloaded with cash, which can be used to pay for transport fares by tapping the card on a fixed machine on a bus or rail. Additionally, it has a virtual card option on mobile phones for those who do not wish to use the physical card.
However, Koku’s concern extended beyond the software’s origin. He questioned Ghana’s decision to commission a system hosted in China, citing worries about security implications, given China’s history of mass surveillance and human rights violations. This raised issues of data privacy, as Koku emphasized the automatic monitoring of passengers with facial images being sent to Chinese servers. This prompted questions about the Data Protection Authority’s diligence in commissioning the system.
Koku’s investigation intensified when he discovered the raw IP address of the monitoring software online, leading him to probe further into potential privacy and security risks. He attempted to access the system and unveil images and live video, raising further concerns about the system’s vulnerability.
In conclusion, while the introduction of the Tap and Go Transport Service is a significant development in public transport in Ghana, the concerns raised by Koku about the security and privacy implications of the system cannot be overlooked. It is essential for the authorities to address these concerns and ensure that the system is secure and respects the privacy of its users. Additionally, the origin and originality of the system should be thoroughly examined to uphold the principles of transparency and innovation in governance.
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