BURRELL, JENNA (2008) PROBLEMATIC EMPOWERMENT: WEST AFRICAN INTERNET SCAMS AS STRATEGIC

MISREPRESENTATION. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERNATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT 4(4): 15-30

Does access to ICTs improve socio-economic status for people in the Global South?

Where did Burrell do her research?

How did Burrell do her research?

What are Burrell’s theoretical criteria?

tactic (de Certeau): the use by the less-powerful of structures created by the powerful to try to achieve their own goals

self-presentation (Goffman): how one presents oneself to others in given contexts

primitivist perplex (Prins): a dilemma constituted by the need for indigenous people to use dominant group images of them in order to pursue their goals

tactic (de Certeau): the use by the less-powerful of structures created by the

powerful to try to achieve their own goals

self-presentation (Goffman): how one presents oneself to others in given contexts

primitivist perplex (Prins): a dilemma constituted by the need for indigenous people to use dominant group images of them in order to pursue their goals

How do some Ghanaians use the internet to make money?

How do some Ghanaians use the internet to make money?

Ghana Education Scam I received a friend request from a young man in Ghana -

Mohammed Hudu (later became Yakubu Hudu). Claimed to need money to go to school. Lots of things didn't add up. Finally called Ghana consulate in Houston to ask if a student must pay $200 to take exams. He flat out told me "NO" and that this was "100%" a scam. This kid really had me. Sent me pictures of the family. had me really feeling sorry for his situation. His "teacher" started contacting me. When I told him that I was running out of money (already sent $3000) he continued to pressure me saying "don't you want him to be educated"?, blah blah blah. Finally blocked him on FB - then unblocked so I could report his page ... but in the meantime he's written me again. A small part of me says "what if." But a bigger part of me does not want to go broke.—Scammed1954 (http://jobsearch.about.com/u/ua/jobsearchscams/jobscams.11.htm)

This plays on images Westerners have of Ghanaians (“Africans”)

It also arises from Ghanaians’ belief that Westerners are wealthy and greedy

And it is based on their belief and experience that no one will fund their own initiatives

The scammers adopt alternate identities, using the capability of ICTs to develop and

project these

The way the scammers play with information shows that it is not the

neutral or powerful repository of knowledge that internet proponents

claim

Conclusion: How have Ghanaians been “empowered” by ICTs?

At what cost?

Note that Burrell is NOT arguing that all Ghanaians use the internet to scam.

Given how the West views Ghanaians and their lack of ability to raise funds independently, how can

Ghanaians overcome the stereotypes they must use?