Ghana was ranked Tier 1 in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The GCI is a critical benchmark used worldwide to measure countries’ commitment to cybersecurity. With a significant score of 99.27%, Ghana has become Africa’s second-highest-scoring country after Mauritius.
Ghana is also one of five countries in Africa to achieve Tier 1 role-modelling status and is among 46 countries globally that fall in this category.
The collaborative work of the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC), and other public and private sector stakeholders, has heavily contributed to the nation reaching this incredible milestone.
The five-tier GCI system
The GCI’s five-tiered ranking system ranks countries according to their cybersecurity measures. It tracks performance, and the countries leading in cybersecurity practices are ranked in tier 1 — they serve as a benchmark for other countries.
Tier 1 – Role Modelling
Tier 2 – Advancing
Tier 3 – Establishing
Tier 4 – Evolving
Tier 5 – Building
Strategic initiatives drive Ghana’s top cybersecurity ranking
Ghana’s ranking in the GCI shows its leadership in several key areas, such as:
Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038): Ghana’s cybersecurity law regulates cybersecurity activities in Ghana, promotes its development in the country, and provides for related matters. Significant provisions of the law include licensing and accreditation of Cybersecurity Service Providers, Establishments, and Professionals.
Protection of Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs): The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has been safeguarding Ghana’s critical systems essential to the digital economy. This includes developing and operationalising a risk management framework for CIIs and government digitalisation initiatives and coordinating crisis management.
Read also: Unlocking Africa’s future with AU’s ‘Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030)’
Revision of the national cybersecurity policy and strategy
The institutionalisation of the Annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM): This initiative boosted cybersecurity awareness and skills in public and private sector institutions, academia and others.
International Cooperation: Ghana is a hub for training and capacity building by entities such as the European Union, Council of Europe (COE), the World Bank, and ECOWAS. The country has hosted several international capacity-building programs and contributed to global cooperation by sharing knowledge and experience on platforms like the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Global Cybersecurity Forum.
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