Ghana is stepping up its fight against cybercrime with the launch of a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS). Communications and Digitalisation Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful unveiled the policy, emphasising its critical role in safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure and citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. This comes as recent warnings highlight the growing threat of cyberattacks, particularly with the December 7 general elections approaching.
The NCPS, developed in alignment with the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Agenda guidelines, outlines a multi-faceted approach to strengthening the country’s cyber resilience. Its core objectives include:
- Building a Robust Digital Ecosystem: Fostering a secure and resilient digital environment that supports innovation and economic growth.
- Securing Digital Infrastructure: Protecting critical national information infrastructure from cyber threats and ensuring the continuity of essential services.
- Developing National Capacity: Investing in cybersecurity education, training, and research to build a skilled workforce and enhance national expertise.
- Deterring Cybercrime: Implementing robust legal and enforcement frameworks to combat cybercrime and hold perpetrators accountable.
- Strengthening Cooperation: Promoting collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to enhance cybersecurity efforts.
This initiative comes in the wake of a recent warning issued by the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT). The ACDT cautioned that Ghana faces a heightened risk of cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the upcoming elections. These threats could range from disinformation campaigns and online propaganda to attacks targeting critical infrastructure like electoral systems and communication networks.
The NCPS seeks to address these concerns by establishing a clear framework for cybersecurity governance, risk management, and incident response. It emphasises the importance of public-private partnerships and international cooperation in combating cybercrime. The policy also calls for increased awareness and education initiatives to empower citizens to protect themselves online.
Ghana’s commitment to cybersecurity is not new. In May 2023, the Bank of Ghana launched the Financial Industry Command Security Operations Centre (FICSOC) to bolster the nation’s cyber defenses in the financial sector. FICSOC serves as a central hub for threat intelligence sharing and coordinated response among financial institutions.
However, despite these efforts, cybercrime continues to pose a significant challenge. In the first half of 2024 alone, cyber fraud in Ghana resulted in reported direct financial losses of $4.32 million (GH¢49.5 million). This figure likely represents only a fraction of the actual losses, as many incidents go unreported.
The launch of the NCPS marks a significant step forward in Ghana’s fight against cybercrime. By providing a comprehensive framework for action and promoting collaboration across sectors, the policy aims to create a safer and more secure digital environment for all Ghanaians.
The success of the NCPS will depend on effective implementation and continuous adaptation to the evolving cyber threat landscape. As technology advances and new vulnerabilities emerge, Ghana must remain vigilant in its efforts to protect its digital infrastructure and citizens from the growing menace of cybercrime.
