Ghana has made significant gains in cyber security

 The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has touted Ghana’s significant advancements in cyber security, underscoring the nation’s commit­ment to fostering a secured digital economy.

He attributed the achievements to his administration’s digitalisation agenda, which include initiatives such as mobile money interopera­bility, the Ghana QR payment sys­tem, and the national identification system, all of which have trans­formed the country’s economy.

Speaking at the 2024 Cyber security Awards Night in Accra on Friday, the President said cyber security was essential for achieving national development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Devel­opment Goal.

The event, organised by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), under the Ministry of Communi­cations and Digitalisation, aimed to recognise key individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of cyber security in Ghana.

The ceremony also highlight­ed the efforts of partners who collaborated with the authority through public-private partner­ships, academic collaborations, and other strategic alliances that have fostered CSA growth.

The President emphasised the dual nature of digital opportunities and the increasing cyber threats facing the country, stressing that, “In this ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, the numbers are a stark reminder of the work before us.”

He referenced the 2024 IBM Cost of Data Breach report, which revealed average cost of nearly $4.9 million per data breach, underscor­ing the urgency of enhancing cyber security measures.

Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that such statistics reinforced the importance of Ghana’s cyber security initiatives and the urgency of securing the nation’s national digital framework.

The President explained that since 2017, Ghana had established the foundation for a resilient digital economy through strategic policies and initiatives.

Furthermore, he mentioned the formation of the National Cyber Security Inter-Ministerial Adviso­ry Council to coordinate efforts among key ministries.

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that the creation of the NCSA, evolving from the National Cyber Security Secretariat, represented a crucial step in enhancing the nation’s de­fenses against cyber threats.

“These institutions are crucial for securing critical sectors such as banking, energy, and health, contributing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9, and 11 by safeguard­ing our infrastructure, promoting innovation, and fostering inclusive, safe, and resilient communities,” he explained.

President Akufo-Addo high­lighted the Safer Digital Ghana campaign, launched in 2018, which had increased awareness of cyber hygiene among diverse demograph­ics.

The Director General of the CSA, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, praised President Akufo-Addo for his visionary leadership, which had significantly enhanced Ghana’s position on the Global Cyber Stan­dards Index.

He noted that the commitment to creating a safe cyberspace had propelled Ghana to become the second highest ranked country in Africa and one of only five nations designated as a Tier 1 model coun­try in cyber security.

Dr Antwi-Boasiako acknowl­edged the vital role of the Minister for Communications and Digital­isation, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, in translating the President’s vision into actionable strategies.

He emphasised the importance of cross-party support in Parlia­ment, highlighting that the collec­tive commitment had been crucial to the success of the nation’s cyber security initiatives.

The President was presented with an award for his significant contributions to advancing cyber security in Ghana, and his dedi­cation to creating a secure digital environment crucial for national development and protecting citi­zens from cyber-attacks.

The event also recognised various public and private insti­tutions, as well as individuals, for their collective efforts in enhancing cybersecurity in the country.

The event marked the end of this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which focused on the upcoming elections. It was on the theme: ‘Combating Misin­formation and Disinformation in a Digitally Resilient Democracy.’

 BY CLIFF EKUFUL