Ghana Roundup: Cyber security index, illegal mining, Top Global Nightlife Destinations

The Wider Image: Chocolate prices to keep rising as West Africa's cocoa crisis deepens

Young men engage in small-scale gold mining on a destroyed cocoa plantation in the Samreboi community in the Western Region, Ghana, February 26, 2024. Long the world's undisputed cocoa powerhouses accounting for over 60 percent of global supply, Ghana and its West African neighbour Ivory Coast are both facing catastrophic harvests this season. More than 20 farmers, experts and industry insiders told Reuters that a perfect storm of rampant illegal gold mining, climate change, sector mismanagement, and rapidly spreading disease is to blame. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko SEARCH "KOKOROKO GHANA COCOA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Source: REUTERS

Tier 1 status in global cybersecurity index

Ghana has achieved Tier 1 status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) by the International Telecommunication Union, placing it among the top global leaders in cybersecurity alongside four other African nations. With a score of 99.27%, Ghana ranks as the second highest in Africa, following Mauritius. This ranking highlights Ghana's robust cybersecurity framework, innovative legislation like the Cybersecurity Act of 2020, and effective institutional arrangements across legal, technical, and organisational pillars. Ghana's commitment includes protecting critical information infrastructures, enhancing cybersecurity awareness, and international cooperation, local website 3News reported.

Calls for halt to illegal mining

WaterAid, an international non-governmental organisation has called for an immediate halt to illegal mining in Ghana, citing a 75% reduction in clean water supply due to increased pollution linked to these activities. Ghana Water Limited reports that pollution levels are seven times higher than normal, particularly affecting the Pra River, a crucial drinking water source and the largest of the three principal southwestern basin systems of Ghana. According to Modern Ghana, WaterAid's Ghana director warns that the contamination of water and soil poses risks to public health and food safety, urging swift government action to protect water resources for future generations.

Turkey to invest over $100 million in health and agriculture

The Turkish government plans to invest over $100 million in Ghana's health and agriculture sectors, driven by the country's investment opportunities. A delegation of Turkish businessmen is currently visiting Ghana to assess potential projects, focusing on health education and the construction of hospitals, as well as the development of mechanised agriculture, GhanaWeb reports. This initiative aims to create job opportunities and support Ghana's development agenda, particularly in leveraging arable land for food production.

Ghana and Austria renew economic commitment

Ghana and Austria have renewed their commitment to deepen economic collaboration and strengthen trade and investment ties. The two countries, led by Ghana's Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and Austria's Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Jackson Alexander Schallenberg, have pledged to explore untapped business and economic opportunities in Ghana. The Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs is in Ghana to officially open the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Accra and to deepen the long-standing relationship between Ghana and Austria. Botchwey urged Austrian businesses to seize opportunities in Ghana, highlighting the country's access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its vast market of 1.3 billion people, Ghana Business News reports.

Accra ranked among Top Global Nightlife Destinations

Ghana's capital, Accra, has been ranked 10th among the top global nightlife destinations by TimeOut. The ranking highlights Accra's vibrant nightlife, alongside cities from Hungary, Germany, the USA, Brazil, Nigeria, the Philippines, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, Argentina, Taiwan, and Singapore. TimeOut's assessment combined data analysis and input from local nightlife experts, including DJs. A significant factor in Accra's nightlife appeal is the "December in GH" event, attracting both locals and international visitors with music festivals and parties, as reported by local news website Peace FM Online.

Edward Sakyi