Pomp and pageantry characterised the launch of Ghana's National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS), a feat aimed to address the increasing cybersecurity threats arising from the nation’s rapid digital transformation.

The revised policy represents a strategic response to both existing and anticipated cyber threats that could undermine Ghana’s gains in digitalisation provides clear focus and direction to guide the development of Ghana’s cybersecurity over the next five years.

Unveiling the policy at the official opening of the 2024 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) in Accra with the top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces and cybersecurity stakeholders in attendance, the Communications and Digitalisation Minister, Hon. Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, described the policy as a landmark achievement critical to Ghana’s cybersecurity development.

The policy is hinged across five critical pillars – Legal Measures, Technical Measures, Organisational Measures, Capacity Building, and Cooperation. It is consistent with the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda guideline for cybersecurity development aimed at enhancing confidence, trust, and security in the ICT architecture of ITU member countries including Ghana.

It further serves as an implementation tool to articulate the purpose of the policy statements which are to Build a Resilient Digital Ecosystem, Secure Digital Infrastructure, Develop National Capacity, Deter Cybercrime, and Strengthen Cooperation. These provide clear strategic objectives and initiatives with their corresponding descriptions, timelines and relevant stakeholders required to implement the strategic imperatives for a secure and resilient digital Ghana.

Addressing the invited dignitaries, the minister underscored the fact that cyber threats were global in nature and their manifestations localised with Ghana not immune to such threats.

She added that the existential dangers posed by cyber-attacks have led to the recognition of the need for a national strategy to prevent potential attacks whenever possible and to prepare for eventual incidents should they occur.

“Our world today has changed, with digitalisation presenting both opportunities and risks to individuals, businesses, societies, and nations. The growing dependency on networks and digital systems for socio-economic development has attracted the attention of malicious actors, who seek to undermine the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of these infrastructures,” Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful stated.

On that score, the minister averred that the adoption of the NCPS itself represented a strategic response to both existing and anticipated cyber threats that could undermine Ghana’s gains in digitalisation.

She indicated that the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), as the national agency responsible for cybersecurity matters in the country, acknowledges its lead role in implementing the NCPS but added that the multi-dimensional nature of cybersecurity required a multi-sectorial response.

She added that the collective responsibility needed to implement the national strategy was enshrined in the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). She cited the role of public sector institutions through the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC) and the creation of the Industry Forum, serving as essential vehicles for the collaboration of all stakeholders.

“Our goal of preventing cyber-attacks against Ghana’s digital infrastructure is shared; we each have differentiated responsibilities reflective of our mandates as public sector agencies and private sector actors,” the minister emphasised.

The Director-General of the CSA, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, whose office superintend over the successful reviewof the NCPS, intimated that government served as an enabler for cybersecurity development adding that the policy represented a vital intervention to guide the actions and thinking of all stakeholders as they worked to minimise risks and secure the benefits of a trusted digital environment for businesses, children and the state.

“As the CSA looks forward to collaborating with implementing partners, the vision remains clear: to achieve a secure and resilient digital ecosystem for the benefit of everyone,” he added.