Ghana: National Cybersecurity Awareness Month Launched
Ghana’s Ministry of Communication in partnership with the National Cybersecurity Centre, an agency with the mandate to coordinate Ghana’s cybersecurity development, has launched the fourth edition of the National Cybersecurity Month (NCSAM) in Accra.
The month-long event is aimed at raising awareness on cybercrime in Ghana and online safety in Ghana, under the theme, “Cybersecurity on the Era of COVID 19.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including the Country Representative for UNICEF Ghana, Anne-Claire Dufay, the National Cybersecurity Advisor, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, and the United State of America’s Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan and the Deputy Minister for Communications, Alexander K.K Abban.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Communications, Alexander K.K Abban, Deputy Minister of Communication stated that Ghana has drafted a Cybersecurity Bill which is expected to be considered by parliament by the end of the year.
“Ghana has also ratified two important international treaties on cybercrime and cybersecurity; the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, known as the Malabo Convention, and the Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention”, he added.
Moreover, he also touched on the
According to him the Point of Contact (PoC) platform, which was launched last year to facilitate the reporting of cybercrime and cybersecurity incidents by the public has been a success.
He explained that, “cumulatively, a total of 11,545 reports have been made through the PoC between January and August 2020. Interestingly, a significant number of people called the NCSC through the PoC to seek guidance and direction in resolving cybersecurity incidents”.
Dr. Albert Antwi Boasiako, said the Ministry of Communications, through the NCSC, had launched a five-year National Cyber Security Awareness Programme, dubbed “A Safer Digital Ghana,” to create awareness of cybercrime and security among children and the public in general.
He also said that Ghana is making strides in cyber security, and had been selected by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lead and become the hub of cyber security issues in West Africa.
From the 1st to the 31st of October, the National Cybersecurity Month will be conducted in a hybrid format comprising physical engagements under strict Covid-19 protocols and the use of virtual platforms and other social media channels with the official hashtag #NCSAM2020 and #SaferDigitalGhana.
It will involve thought-leadership sessions, panel discussions, workshops and media engagements aimed at intensifying capacity building and awareness creation efforts on cybercrime and cybersecurity issues among Ghanaians.
