The Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), has set up a $400,000 cybersecurity and a forensic laboratory to facilitate the training of cybersecurity professionals for the country’s development in the cyberspace.

The project that falls under the National Initiative for Cyber Security Engineering Science and Technology and Education Programme (NICESTEP), is targeted at equipping interested youth, in particular, with the needed skills to fight cybercrimes in Ghana and also provide employment avenues for themselves.

The project is also expected to provide cyberspace services and training for organizations and their personnel to enable them to understand and protect their cyberspace operations.

Vice-Chancellor of the Cape Coast technical University, Prof. Joshua Danso Owusu Sekyere, whose speech was read on his behalf by Dr. Benjamin Chris Ampimmah, coordinator , Cyber Security and Digital Forensic Laboratory,  explained the world had reached a level where education  on cyber space activities was needed to counter the inconveniences that came with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Citing the recent major institutional system hacks in Uganda that had plunged most financial institutions into chaos, the vice chancellor said it was prudent to take the necessary action in Ghana to avoid similar occurrences.

“It’s worth our while as a country to invest in such an enterprise. This is to keep up with changing times in the world. We would use this as a tool to help support many individuals and organizations across the country,” he explained.

Deputy Project Manager of CyberGhana, David Davor, highlighted how the project would equip Ghanaians with employable skills in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence among other critical areas in ICT.

Deputy Central Regional Minister, Thomas Adjei Baffoe was excited a centre like that had been set up in the region.

He encouraged residents and institutions in and around the region to take advantage of the centre to solve basic problems that confront the world on a daily basis.

The Acting Director of the Information Technology Directorate at the Cape Coast Technical University, Paul Sarfo, appealed to government to enact appropriate laws to regulate the digital space in the country.

He is convinced such laws would go a long way to deal with emmerging cyber security threats in the country.

The centre would offer certificate courses in cyber security to students and the wider community within its professional capacity.

The University also commissioned the school's dental and ophthalmologist clinic.