By Ernest Bako WUBONTO and Sandra OTOO
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has underscored the vital role of cybersecurity as a foundational mechanism for attainment of various Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The President emphasised that in an era where digital transformation is integral to national progress, the need to get cybersecurity fundamentals right cannot be overemphasized, hence to need for continues collaborative efforts to consolidate the gains Ghana has made in its recognition as a Tier-one cybersecurity country in the recent International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) report, 2024.
Speaking at the maiden Ghana Cybersecurity Awards (GCA), over the weekend, Mr. Akuffo Addo said: “We must recognise that cybersecurity is foundational to achieving various SDGs. For instance, in our pursuit of quality education, we must ensure that educational platforms and resources are secure, allowing students and teachers to engage in a safe learning environment.
“The SDG for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure emphasises the need for resilient infrastructure; our cybersecurity measures will enable children, the public, businesses, and the government to operate without the fear of cyber threats, fostering an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship and technological advancement,” he said.
The President commended the Cybersecurity Authority for the tremendous role it has played in development of a national policy for the country in that regard.
“It is vital to acknowledge where we began. In 2017, our Capacity Maturity Model (CMM) was at a formative stage, with Ghana’s score in the Global Cybersecurity Index standing at a mere 32.6 percent. Fast forward to 2020, we made significant strides, achieving a score of 86.69 percent. Today, I am proud, as the president of the land that we have recently been ranked with a Tier 1 status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, released by the International Telecommunication Union, with an impressive score of 99.27 percent,” he stated.
This significant leap, he said, is not merely a statistic; it represents the hard work, dedication, and commitment of government to ensure a secure and resilient digital Ghana.
Cybersecurity and the SDGs
Cybersecurity is therefore important to ensure the security of digital technologies used to achieve the SDG.
SDG 16, which is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, is related to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity helps to fight cybercrime, such as online fraud and cyberbullying, which can pose a threat to the safety of individuals and communities.
SDG 8, which is to promote Economic Growth, Decent Work, and Full Employment for all is related to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is essential for the protection of personal and financial data of workers and businesses. Without proper cyber security systems, sensitive information can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, causing financial damage and compromising the reputation of businesses.
SDG 3, regarding Good Health and Well-being, can be attain through the protection of the privacy and security of personal information which requires cybersecurity. The collection of personal information about patients can only be protected safely through a robust cybersecurity to prevent unauthorized access.
SDG 4, -Quality Education: teaching cybersecurity in schools and universities is important to raise awareness of cybersecurity and to prepare future generations to handle technology securely.
Cybersecurity Awards
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) honoured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his contributions towards the advancement of cybersecurity in the country.
Alongside the President was the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who was also recognised at the maiden CSA awards organised in Accra last Friday for implementing the President’s vision.
Under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, Ghana’s Cybersecurity Index standing rose from 32.6 per cent in 2017, to 99.27 per cent in 2024, promoting the country to Tier One status on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index.
The milestone made Ghana the second-most-ranked country in the African region and one of the five countries on the continent to be designated as a Tier One.
Awardees
The Business and Financial Times, the leading business newspaper in the country was among the media partners honoured for their considerable contributions towards the promotion and publicity of cybersecurity awareness initiatives.
Various stakeholder public and private institutions, as well as individuals, were also honoured for their contributions to the country’s success story in the cybersecurity space.
The awards climaxed a month-long national cybersecurity awareness campaign on the theme: “Combatting misinformation and disinformation in a digitally resilient democracy: our collective responsibility”.
