<\/p>\n
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted Ghana\u2019s significant advancements in cybersecurity, emphasizing the nation\u2019s commitment to fostering a secure digital economy.<\/p>\n
Ghana\u2019s cybersecurity ranking has seen remarkable improvement, increasing from 32.6 percent in 2017 to 99.27 percent today on the ITU\u2019s Global Cyber Security Index.<\/p>\n
He attributed these achievements to his administration\u2019s digitalization agenda, which includes initiatives such as mobile money interoperability, the Ghana QR payment system, and the national identification system, all of which have transformed the country\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the 2024 Cybersecurity Awards Night in Accra on Friday, the President said that cybersecurity was essential for achieving national development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.<\/p>\n
He, however, emphasized the dual nature of digital opportunities and the increasing cyber threats facing the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, the numbers are a stark reminder of the work before us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Awards Night, organized by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) under the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, aimed to recognize key individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed to the development of cybersecurity in Ghana.<\/p>\n
The event also highlighted the efforts of partners who collaborated with the Authority through public-private partnerships, academic collaborations, and other strategic alliances that have fostered its growth.<\/p>\n
President Akufo-Addo referenced the 2024 IBM Cost of Data Breach report, which revealed an average cost of nearly $4.9 million per data breach, underscoring the urgency of enhancing cybersecurity measures.<\/p>\n
He said such statistics reinforced the importance of Ghana\u2019s cybersecurity initiatives and the urgency of securing the nation\u2019s national digital framework.<\/p>\n
The President stated that since 2017, Ghana had established the foundation for a resilient digital economy through strategic policies and initiatives, including the formation of the National Cyber Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council to coordinate efforts among key ministries.<\/p>\n
He noted that the creation of the National Cyber Security Authority, evolving from the National Cyber Security Secretariat, represented a crucial step in enhancing the nation\u2019s defenses against cyber threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese institutions are crucial for securing critical sectors such as banking, energy, and health, contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 9, and 11 by safeguarding our infrastructure, promoting innovation, and fostering inclusive, safe, and resilient communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the Safer Digital Ghana campaign, launched in 2018, which had increased awareness of cyber hygiene among diverse demographics.<\/p>\n
He also pointed to Ghana\u2019s international collaborations, including the ratification of key conventions on cybercrime and hosting the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building, which produced the Accra Call\u2014a commitment to improving cyber resilience in developing nations.<\/p>\n
Additionally, he mentioned the revised National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy, designed to align with global standards to mitigate cyber risks.<\/p>\n
The advancement positions the country as a regional leader in cybercrime prevention.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to invaluable partnerships with international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the African Union, UNICEF, and the World Bank, Ghana has fortified its cybercrime and data protection laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, Ghana is a recognized regional leader in cybercrime prevention capacity building and serves as a training hub for cyber initiatives in Africa through the Council of Europe\u2019s Glassy-E project,\u201d the President noted.<\/p>\n
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the government\u2019s commitment to promoting the National Child Online Protection Framework, aimed at creating a safer online environment for children.<\/p>\n
He reminded the gathering of their shared responsibility to protect children in the digital space and called on all stakeholders to collaborate in shielding them from online threats and abuse.<\/p>\n
The President commended the contributions of individuals shaping Ghana\u2019s cybersecurity landscape.<\/p>\n
He urged all stakeholders to persist in their essential work to secure the nation\u2019s digital future, emphasizing that that commitment aligned with Ghana\u2019s broader goals of sustainable development and building resilient communities.<\/p>\n