Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has described cybersecurity as the “new frontier of national security and defence,” urging a whole-of-government approach to protecting the country’s digital infrastructure.
Delivering a strategic lecture at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC), the Minister addressed 97 participants of the Defence Management Course 25, including officers from Ghana’s security services, African partner states, and senior officials from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies. He detailed Ghana’s progress in cybersecurity preparedness, citing the country’s number-one ranking in Africa, according to the latest International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assessment, a position he pledged Ghana would “guard jealously.”
“All traditional defence mechanisms today rely on secure digital infrastructure,” George said, emphasizing that cybersecurity has become an essential element of national resilience and sovereignty. His lecture, titled “Cybersecurity, Ghana’s Policy and Readiness”, focused on the strategic importance of digital defence in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
The Minister highlighted Ghana’s top ranking in Africa on the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index, a position he said the country would “guard jealously.” He credited this achievement to a robust legal and institutional framework, notably the Cybersecurity Act (Act 1038), which empowers the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to coordinate national efforts and enforce compliance.
Ghana’s cybersecurity governance structure includes a Governing Board chaired by the Minister, a Joint Cybersecurity Committee made up of over 15 institutions, and sector-specific measures for safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure (CII).
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George also drew attention to the expanding scope of Ghana’s digital public infrastructure, ranging from e-Parliament and e-Justice to e-Passport and smart workplace systems which, while improving efficiency, also expose the country to increased cyber risks.
“Digital transformation must be matched with equally robust cyber defences,” he warned, stressing that the rise of technology in governance, public services, and national operations demands a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
The address marked a significant integration of cybersecurity into Ghana’s broader defence planning and underscored the government’s effort to position digital protection as a national priority.
