A group photograph taken after the conference
The Department of Information Studies within the School of Information and Communication Studies, College of Education, recently hosted a successful two-day international conference under the themed "Fostering Research in Information Behaviour and Digital Literacy in Africa." The conference brought together experts from Canada, Nigeria, Eswatini, South Africa, Uganda and Ghana, fostering rich discussions on the advancement of digital literacy and information behaviour within the African context.
Dr. Philip Kankam, Head of the Department of Information Studies
Dr. Philip Kankam, Head of the Department of Information Studies, welcomed participants on behalf of Prof. Akosua K. Darkwah, Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies. He highlighted the conference’s alignment with the University of Ghana’s Strategic Plan, specifically Priority 2, which focuses on impactful research. Dr. Kankam outined the importance of situating information behaviour within Africa’s unique context, underscoring the University of Ghana’s commitment to impactful research.
Mr. Joseph Oduro Nkansah, College Registrar
Speaking on behalf of the Provost of the College of Education, Mr. Joseph Oduro Nkansah, College Registrar accentuated the synergy between the conference theme and the College’s mission. “In today’s fast-paced digital age, society is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. The digital revolution is constantly transforming our everyday experiences and altering the ways we engage with information in increasingly sophisticated ways,” he said. He urged participants to embrace digital literacy, recognising its transformative potential for societal advancement.
A cross-section of participants
Professor Wole Michael Olatokun from the National University of Lesotho and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, delivered a virtual keynote address on the urgent need to advance digital skills across Africa. His presentation, titled “Advancing Information Behaviour and Digital Data Literacy for Africa's Socio-Economic Development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” explored issues such as limited access to technology, socio-economic inequalities, and cultural diversity. “In this Fourth Industrial Revolution, let us be the architects of a data-literate society that uplifts all and leaves no one behind,” he urged.
A cross-section of participants
The first day featured a series of insightful presentations, beginning with Professor Sandy Zinn from the University of the Western Cape, who discussed the ethical complexities of AI in her talk on “Reimagining Information Literacy in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence.” Professor L.A. Makgahlela from the University of Limpopo explored the evolving information needs of African university students, while Elvis Bajamchana Bugase from C.K. Tedam University emphasised libraries’ crucial role in promoting digital literacy. Faustina Barfi from UNIMAC and co-author Angela Aikins discussed data protection literacy within Ghana’s e-tax system, highlighting the importance of data security awareness.
One of the presenters answering a question after her presentation
Presenters from the University of Ghana, Dr. Catherine Asamoah and Dr. Samuel Owusu-Ansah, advocated for improved human-AI collaboration to increase researcher access to Ghana’s archival data. Meanwhile, Umar Musa Yila from Nigeria’s National Open University discussed the importance of personalised health information retrieval systems for diverse African populations and Asubiojo Raphael Ojo from Bamidele Olumilua University addressed the impact of digital tools on secondary education in Nigeria.
Emeritus Professor Anaba A. Alemna
As the special guest speaker for day two, Emeritus Professor Anaba A. Alemna stressed the importance of digital literacy for Africa’s socio-economic development, particularly in accessing e-health, financial, and e-learning services. He called for collaboration among governments, educational institutions, and technology providers to address challenges such as misinformation, infrastructure deficits and gender disparities.
A cross-section of participants
Other presentations delved into topics like digital transformation and information preservation. Mr. Ngoba Msibi from the Eswatini National Archives highlighted the need for thorough planning and stakeholder engagement in digital projects, while Mr. George Gyasi Gyesaw from the Nketia Archives at UG discussed the digital preservation of highlife music, a significant cultural initiative. Dr. Mubarak Tukur from Umara Musa Yarádua University in Nigeria examined the role of digital repositories in promoting peace and security, while Christian K. L. Mensah from the African University College of Communications explored the impact of digital communication on patient-provider interactions.
A bibliometric analysis led by Samuel Ankamah and colleagues from the University of Ghana analysed the growth of open science research in Africa, highlighting South Africa and Nigeria as leading countries. A team led by Tom Kwanya from Kenya assessed data literacy among Library and Information Science professionals in Kenya and Ghana, recommending the creation of a Data Literacy Competency Index. Ms. Kristi Thompson from Western University, Canada, and Ms. Winny Nekesa from Uganda presented best practices for ethical research data management, focusing on participant confidentiality.
Professor Emmanuel Adjei, Chairman of the Planning Committee
In his closing remarks, Professor Emmanuel Adjei, Chairman of the Planning Committee, expressed satisfaction with the conference’s outcomes. He acknowledged the impactful discussions and presentations, stating that the conference successfully highlighted Africa’s unique challenges and potential in advancing digital data literacy and information behaviour. Professor Adjei also noted the need for extended presentation slots in future conferences to allow for more in-depth discussions, which would enhance the conference experience and promote greater knowledge sharing among participants.
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