Professor abdullahi Patrick adc president, Prof Peter Dean faculty of communications, Prof Chris ogbonna USA and all distinguished guest of honor present at the 24 annual international conference.
Dr Chris ogbonna lectured on the the growth of mobile phone users globally
Last 30 years tremendous DM growth globally
Over 90% of the population in half of the world (about 100 countries of the world) own a mobile phone. Globally mobile phone have grown exponentially.
Global mobile growth Data
2020 14 billion
2021 15 billion
2022 17 billion
2023 20 billion
Zimbabwe population 17million as at 2021 they had 14million mobile phone user and 2023 15million mobile phone users.
Ghana population is 35million and as at 2023 has 45 million mobile phone users.
South Africa population is at 62 million and mobile phone users grow to 113 million.
Kenya population at 55 million and mobile phone users are at 65 million.
He further spoke about DM benefits which are
• Exposure of human rights abuses
• Helps to create awareness and remove stigma
• Enhances global reach and connectivity
• Promotes business and marketing opportunities
• Makes education and learning easy and accessible.
• Facilities information sharing
What can be done to balance freedom and regulation
• Look at other countries (not to copy but to adapt)
• Government, NGOs can help counter fake news
• News media can help play critical role (fact check on information on social media).
He concluded thus, despite DM’s contributions to GDP, economy,etc little attention is paid to its psychological and health effect on the society.
Gsm based stationed in the neighborhoods have health risks from radiation, Cancer, etc.
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