Ghana has been ranked 3rd behind Mauritius and Tanzania, with a score of 86.69% in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
According to the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) report of the ITU, Ghana’s current score on the metric shows major progress from the previous ratings in 2017 and 2018 of 32.6% and 43.7% respectively.
The country’s 3rd place ranking in Africa is also a major leap from the 10th and 11th places attained in the previous ratings and projects Ghana among the best in the region and globally.
Key among the interventions meriting this rating include the revision of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy to provide a national direction and implementation plan for Ghana’s cybersecurity development; the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) to provide a legal basis for its cybersecurity development; the institutionalisation of cybersecurity to foster domestic cooperation and collaboration; and the ratification of relevant cybercrime/cybersecurity international conventions and treaties such as the Convention on Cybercrime also known as the Budapest Convention and African Union Convention on Cyber Security & Personal Data Protection also known as the Malabo conventions ECOWAS’ Regional Cybersecurity Cybercrime Strategy and the Regional Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Protection Policy to strengthen Ghana’s international response in fighting cybercrime and improve on cybersecurity.
Other key factors contributing to Ghana’s rating include the development of Ghana’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) ecosystem, the country’s persistence in capacity building and awareness creation, notably the institutionalisation of the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in October as a result of the launch of the National Cybersecurity Awareness Programme (safer Digital Ghana). Other areas that the country has shown commitment in the fight against cybercrime is the deployment of the Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) to enable individuals and organisations report cyber-related incidents with ease and to receive advisories.
The achievement according to the National Cyber Security Centre is proof of the government’s commitment to developing the country’s cyberspace to be secure and resilient for a sustained digital transformation.
It added that this commitment is evidenced by the efforts of the government through the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation working with the members of the National Cyber Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council (NCSIAC) and the National Cyber Security Technical Working Group (NCSTWG) in the implementation of critical interventions in the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
The government through the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation are also working closely with other relevant Ministries, agencies, international partners and private sector stakeholders remain committed in its efforts to ensure that the various digitalisation interventions rolled out are secured. Given this, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is expected to transition into the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in the coming weeks per Section 2 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), to regulate cybersecurity activities in the country and to further lead Ghana’s cybersecurity development.
Since the launch of the GCI in 2015, it has been a trusted reference, measuring countries’ commitment to cybersecurity and raising awareness of its importance.
The level of each country’s development or engagement is assessed along the five strategic pillars of the Union’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda (GCA) that is Legal Measures, Technical Measures, Organisational Measures, Capacity Building, and International Cooperation. This is then aggregated into an overall score. The current assessment covers the 2019-2020 period and reflects data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latest Stories
-
When lawmakers themselves appear unwilling to abide by the laws they legislate
3 hours -
Mahama promises 200,000-hectare cocoa expansion to revitalise industry
4 hours -
Communications Minister unveils gov’t’s digital inclusion plan for PWDs
4 hours -
Youth group accuses judiciary of undermining anti-corruption efforts
4 hours -
Parliament recommends ratification of WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies
4 hours -
Ghana to roll out Labour Export Initiative – Mahama announces
4 hours -
Two killed in fatal accident on Bole–Damongo Road
4 hours -
Joseph Ade Coker, former NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman dies
4 hours -
From Bulldozing to Bail-Begging: Wontumi’s Plot Twist No One Saw Coming
5 hours -
Mahama promises new modern regional hospital for Ahafo Region
5 hours -
Appiagyei-Atua: Protest by Minority over Wontumi’s arrest unnecessary and theatrical
5 hours -
Parliament approves GH¢10bn for NHIA
5 hours -
Martin Kpebu alleges some NPP bigwigs exploiting Wontumi’s arrest for political gain
5 hours -
Mahama orders swift completion of Maaban-Goaso Highway as he vows not to abandon projects started by previous government
5 hours -
Mahama rallies citizens for unity, determination, discipline for nation-building
5 hours