The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to cybersecurity with the launch of the Cybersecurity Industry Forum at a ceremony in Accra. The event, held at the M.T. Addico Conference Hall of the Ghana Shippers House, also marked the inauguration of Independent Assessors to support the nation’s cybersecurity regulatory framework.
In her speech, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful highlighted the strides Ghana has made in bolstering its cybersecurity framework since 2017, when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo tasked the Ministry of Communications with driving the country’s cybersecurity development. Under her leadership, key initiatives have been implemented, including the Safer Digital Ghana campaign, the passage of the Cybersecurity Act, and the establishment of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA). She also celebrated Ghana’s rise to a Tier 1 (Role Model) ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index, scoring 99.27%, a testament to the country’s progress.
The Minister emphasized that the Cybersecurity Industry Forum will serve as a collaborative platform for both public and private stakeholders to address emerging cyber threats and bridge the cyber skills gap in the country. “This Forum will enhance collaboration, promote innovation, and strengthen our national resilience against cyber threats,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stated.
She also acknowledged the efforts of the Facilitating Committee, led by Dr. Kenneth Edem Ashigbey, in drafting a constitution and industry code to guide the Forum’s operations. In addition, the Minister congratulated the first cohort of 18 Independent Assessors, who will play a key role in supporting the CSA’s regulatory mandate.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful called for collective action, urging all stakeholders to contribute their expertise to shape a secure and resilient digital future for Ghana. “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,” she stressed, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving the country’s vision of a secure digital ecosystem.
