Use e-sensors to curb gas explosions – ICT Expert

A Computer Science Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast and Chairman of the Internet Society Ghana Chapter, Professor Nii Quaynor, wants operators of gas stations to use electronic sensors in detecting gas leakages in order to prevent explosions.

His proposal follows a recent explosion scare at the Ghana Utensils Manufacturing Company in Takoradi following the leakage of gas at the company.

According to the workers, a gas tanker was discharging Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on the company’s premises when the conveyor hose developed a fault leading to the leakage.

They then heard a big boom which forced the entire staff on duty to vacate the premises to avoid catastrophe. Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) were invited in to control the situation.

Several gas-related explosions across the country have claimed dozens of lives, a situation that prompted the government to introduce the Cylinder Recirculation Module.

Speaking to Class91.3FM’s Jerry Akornor on the sidelines of the Ghana Youth Internet Governance Forum in Accra, the former UN Advisory Group Member of Internet Governance Forum said gas operators must pay more attention to safety measures to avoid fatal faults.

Meanwhile, Prof Quaynor has also charged the security agencies to beef up their cyber intelligence gathering strategies to fight cybercrimes in the country. According to him, behavioural patterns of criminals must be monitored online to ensure that the perpetrators are not left off of the hook.

Professor Quaynor pointed out that the government has a duty to dialogue with telecom companies to prevent mobile money fraud in Ghana.

For his part, the Executive Director of the Ghana Domain Name Registry, Nana Kofi Asafu-Aidoo said the regulators of the gas and oil sector must ensure that the operators adhere to all safety standards to minimise risks.

The 2019 Ghana Youth Governance Forum organised by the Ghana Domain Name Registry was on the theme: "Future of work, digital jobs and the youth".

Adding to the discussion, the Executive Director of Africa Cybersecurity and Digital Rights Organisations (ACDRO) Mr Ken Adu-Amanfoh, admonished Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to acquaint themselves with the relevant laws to overcome threats to internet usage including shutdowns and network disruption by governments.

According to him, knowledge in the legal framework and policies pertaining to internet usage will enable CSOs to know their rights and engage the government on the abuse of digital rights.

He said a multi-stakeholder approach is needed to deliberate on how to resolve the challenges facing the digital space in the country.