Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has disclosed government has drafted a National Cyber-Security Policy and Strategy (NCSPS) to address the country’s digital security needs and challenges.
According to him, the review of the policy and strategy will be completed by the end of this year, subject to stakeholders’ input and engagement.
He made this known at the launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2018 in Accra on Monday October 1 on the theme; ‘’A Safer Digital Ghana.’’
‘’This policy has mandated the Ministry of Communications to work with other ministries and agencies, private sector and international partners to address any issues that has the potential to compromise our national security,’’ Dr. Bawumia said.
He further disclosed, a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been established through the Ministry of Communications in collaboration with technical working groups from the National Cyber Security Centre and other agencies.
The team is expected to ensure Ghana’s Cyber Security incident response is efficient and robust.
Background
President Akufo-Addo had earlier asserted in July this year, and asked the Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, to oversee the implementation of Ghana’s National Cyber Security Policy & Strategy (NCSPS).
Last year, the President speaking at the launch of the National Cyber-Security Week said Cyber-security issues were now firmly national security threats, adding that “Ghana cannot fully reap the digital dividends, associated with the adoption of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) as a means of our socio-economic transformation, if it fails to mitigate both existing and emerging cyber security threats.”
According to him, Government is undertaking specific policy and practical interventions, which includes, capacity building, international co-operation, judicial enforcement of cybercrime legislations, and implementation of technical standards and safeguards to combat the scourge.
National Cyber-Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council (NCSIAC)
The occasion also witnessed the inauguration of the National Cyber-Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council (NCSIAC).
Its members include Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Afua Akuffo, Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, Defence Minister, Dominic Ntiwul, Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway and National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah.
National Cyber-Security Week 2018
The Ministry of Communications in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre will roll out the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2018 across all ten regions from October 1 to October 31, 2018.
The month-long campaign, will feature programmes and activities including thought leadership sessions and keynote lectures from the National Cyber-Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council.
Cyber hygiene and awareness seminars, training on incident handling and child online protection, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, networking and social interaction will also be held with panelists including former Ministers of Communications.
The climax of the campaign will feature a series of high-level events scheduled for October 22 to 26, 2018 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra.
By Mawuli Y. Ahorlumegah
