Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation (middle) flanked by Deputy Minister for Information, CEO of CSA Dr. Antwi-Boasiako and other stakeholders
The National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) has been launched with the objective of elevating digital security consciousness and empowering both individuals and organisations to safeguard their personal data in the face of an ever-evolving global digital landscape.
Set on the theme “Promoting a Culture of Digital Safety”, the media launch took place at the Ministry of Information in Accra on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
The campaign is scheduled to run throughout October.
The Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ama Pomaa Boateng who launched the campaign on behalf of the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, emphasised the transformative impact of digital technologies on the lives, work, and interactions of people.
She underlined the concurrent rise in risks for individuals, organizations, and societies due to the rapid advancement of the digital age.
“The prevalence of cyber threats such as cyberbullying, privacy breaches, misinformation, and disinformation have become prevalent and of urgent concern”, Hon. Pomaa Boateng said.
Statistics
Recent statistics painted a vivid picture of Ghana’s digital landscape. According to the Groupe Special Mobile Association’s Connectivity Index 2023 Report, Ghana ranked third in Africa with a score of 51.4% in internet penetration over the last five years. Additionally, the report noted Ghana’s impressive score of 86.69% in Online Security, aligning with its standing on the ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index. The report also revealed that Ghana’s internet access rate in 2023 stood at 23.05 million, representing 68.2% of the population, with 6.6 million (19.5%) actively engaged in social media activities.
However, these advancements came with a price. Ghana’s exposure to high-risk cyber threats, including Romance Scams, Phishing, Advance Fee Fraud, Online Bullying, Sextortion, and Online Impersonation, had escalated.
The NCSAM launch served as a call to action. It brought together Government officials, private sector players, business executives, cybersecurity professionals, educationists, civil society organisations, and media representatives to promote cybersecurity awareness and address these concerns.
The Director General of the Cyber Security Authority Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako, explained that the importance of increasing awareness and fostering secure online practices was for a safer digital Ghana.
He added that the NCSAM would encompass a range of activities dedicated to educate and conscientise both organisations and the Ghanaian public about the opportunities and threats in cyberspace.
Stakeholders
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey mentioned that Cybersecurity was a collective responsibility that involved everyone.
The President of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, stated that a lot of investments had been made by the banks to ensure secure transactions on digital channels.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, pledged the association’s support for NCSAM to enhance cybersecurity practices in the country.
On behalf of the Board of the Cyber Security Authority, Carl Sackey added that this year’s theme underscored the necessity of collective action by Ghanaians to safeguard digital assets, intellectual property, and private information.
In a statement delivered on behalf of the President of ISACA (Accra Chapter), Daniel Gyampo said that in today’s interconnected world, the significance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated
Representing the Joint Cyber Security Committee, Col. Dr. Tim Ba-Taa-Banah, appealed to Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and civil society to actively participate in the NCSAM.
Background
The NCSAM, which originated in the United States in 2004 under the auspices of the US Department of Homeland Security, has evolved into a collaborative international event, with Ghana being the latest nation to join the effort to promote cybersecurity awareness and ensure a safer digital future for all.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
