The Faculty of Law of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has organised a maiden International Conference on Law, Science, and Technology at the Faculty Auditorium on Wednesday, 31st August 2022. The Conference was held under the theme: “Harnessing Digitalisation for Economic Development: Law at the Intersection of Science and Technology.”
The Conference attracted renowned academics and legal experts in the fields of law, science and technology, and other intersecting disciplines.
According to the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, the Conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss how the law can intersect science and technology to harness digitalisation for the economic development of Ghana and Africa ‘We all know how a shift to a digitalised economy combined with enabling sound government policies can improve economic efficiency in all sectors,’ he added.
He continued by saying that the Faculty, as a learning community has a duty to undertake research to generate knowledge and disseminate its findings to support sustainable industrial and socio-economic development. To this end, he said the Conference would develop, support, and expand creative solutions to strengthen the legal channels that will be adopted in response to potential challenges that may arise from this drive towards digitalisation.
Dr. Owusu-Dapaa disclosed that all accepted and presented papers at the Conference will feature in the maiden edition of the International African Journal of Law, Science, and Technology.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo noted that Law plays an essential role in the regulation of science and technology as well as the moral consequences of research projects and new technologies. He added that there is a need to incorporate new technologies into the courtroom to facilitate the presentation of evidence. He also emphasised the essence of the use of technologies in the trial process to ensure that all parties have equal access and an opportunity to share in its benefits.
Professor Owusu-Dabo assured of Management’s commitment to improving the digital space of the University. ‘As an institution of higher education focusing on teaching, learning, and research, especially in science and technology, we will continue to research and develop applications, software, and programs to help drive the digitalisation agenda. Not only in the justice delivery system but for the common use of the ordinary Ghanaian,’ he affirmed.
In his keynote address, Professor Ing. Kwame Osei Boateng, a Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, called for the creation of policies to realise the benefits of digitalisation to reduce the digital divide. He was hopeful that there would be a sufficient level of internet infrastructure development and digital education. This, he said, confronts decision-makers with the challenges of harnessing the maximum benefits of digitalisation.
The Conference was sectioned into six (6) cardinal themes aimed at providing insights into the interface of law, and its boundaries with science and technology. These include Technology and the Court, Technology, and Medical Law Issues, Rights to Privacy and Technology, Emerging Technology and the Law, Digitalisation Law and Ethics, and Technology Commerce and Banking.