Ghana elected to front cybersecurity issues in Africa
Ghana's Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has been elected to lead the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA), a distinguished body established under the Smart Africa initiative.
This initiative, born out of a commitment by African Heads of State and Government, aims to foster sustainable socio-economic development across the continent.
The announcement came during a meeting in Accra last Tuesday, coinciding with the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B), where Ghana was chosen to chair the network, and the Kingdom of Morocco was confirmed as the Vice Chair.
As per the statement issued by the authority, the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Smart Africa Secretariat will collectively form the Bureau of ANCA. This governing body will oversee the network's governance structure, action plan, and advocate for the interests of its members.
The election of Ghana to lead ANCA reflects the nation's expanding leadership role in cybersecurity matters on the continent. The statement highlighted Ghana's notable progress in cybersecurity, citing its ITU ranking, which surged from 32.6% in 2017 to an impressive 86.69% in the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) report.
This advancement positioned Ghana as the third-highest-ranking country in Africa, after only Mauritius and Tanzania, marking a leap from its 10th place in 2017. Globally, Ghana climbed from the 86th position in 2017 to an impressive 43rd place.
The African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities comprises 17 members representing African countries with dedicated National Cybersecurity Authorities, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Congo Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Tunisia.
Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, the Director-General of the CSA, who will serve as the Chair of ANCA, outlined the nation's vision for the network. Key priorities include establishing an effective governance structure, expanding membership, fostering operational exchanges and practical cooperation, exploring funding models and partnerships for cybersecurity development, contributing to Smart Africa's flagship initiatives, and championing Africa's voice in global discussions on cybersecurity matters.
This strategic leadership role underscores Ghana's commitment to advancing cybersecurity not only domestically but also on a continental scale.
