Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, has stressed the need for users of digital systems to acquire basic cyber-hygiene skills to ensure safety in view of the increasing cyber-attacks.
He stated that it is important for digital citizens, especially mobile money users, to appreciate cyber-hygiene best practices – given the fact that “digital platforms have become common places for all businesses’’.
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako made these remarks during a courtesy call on management of the CSA by Deputy Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar.
The deputy minister was accompanied by her aide, Jamil Mohammed Abdul-Rahman, and Administrative Officer, Aisha Jibril.
The deputy minister’s visit was to acquaint herself with operations of the CSA, and the trajectory of growth since its establishment as an Authority in 2021.
Welcoming the deputy minister, Dr. Antwi-Boasiako lauded Ms. Abubakar for her inner resilience amid the current challenges. “I see the role you are playing at the ministry, and I commend you at the individual level for your inner resilience,” he said.
Briefing the deputy minister about activities of the CSA, the Director-General stressed the significance of the annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) – which comes off in October – as the biggest and most impactful annual event on the CSA’s calendar.
Additionally, he informed Ms. Abubakar of the upcoming Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B), a first-of-its-kind event scheduled to take place in Ghana during November this year – and requested that the ministry use its platforms to promote the Conference.
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako highlighted that Ghana was selected after a highly competitive process based on its cybersecurity strides and engagements in international cooperation activities. He added that other countries such as France, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria, among others, submitted bids to host the Conference, but Ghana was the preferred choice for organisers.
According to Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the CSA is committed to driving Ghana’s goal of becoming number-one for cybersecurity in Africa and among the first twenty-five (25) countries globally in the next Global Cybersecurity Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Regarding the CSA’s visibility and accessibility to stakeholders, the Director-General reiterated the need to maintain a neutral stance as a security sector institution in the execution of its mandate, and to leverage on channels available to broadcast the CSA’s achievements.
He therefore implored the deputy minister to assist the CSA in publishing its monthly advisories and alerts on the ministry’s platforms for a wider reach.
Responding to these remarks, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar commended the CSA for its achievements, despite its few years of establishment.
Expressing her support for the CSA on matters relating to content publicity, Ms. Abubakar noted that the ministry is committed to delivering excellence in the area of public relations, giving the CSA an opportunity to disseminate information to the media by using all available channels.
Shedding light on the ministry’s campaign against misinformation and disinformation, she stated that it is necessary for state agencies to provide mechanisms for the public to cross-check before information is disseminated.
