Media Foundation educates Ghanaians on Cyber Security

“Media Foundation for West Africa will collaborate with the various stakeholders such as Cyber Security Agencies, GIFA Data Protection Agency to bring cyber security to the doorsteps of all individuals in order not to look vulnerable to the issues of cyber securities, Employment, etc. by educating everyone in the country”.

Mr. Suleman Braima, the Executive Director of Media Foundation for Africa made this comment in his introduction speech when the Foundation had a round table conference with the various stakeholders at the Accra City Hotel on December 9th, 2022.

The Executive director of the Media Foundation for Africa made it clear to the people gathered that, Ghana as a country have made a significant progress within its digital realm. That is, ranging from the property numbering, Ghana Cards, Tin Numbers in terms of our digital revolution.

He said these revolutions have also come with a threat that we are being exposed to, if care is not taking.

Madam Emmanuella Darkoh, opined that, the foundation wants to create platforms for people to safeguard their own experiences.

She continued to say that, currently, due to the COVID-19 and all the over reliance on ICT, many people are transacting online and majority also keep money on their mobile Apps which makes significant number of people across the world are rely on ICT.

Madam Emmanuella Darkoh brought into notice on how the government of Ghana has passed the Cyber Security Act 2020 which was established by the Cyber Security Authority on October 1st, 2021.

In addition, she said, one of the major achievements of the government of Ghana has been to institutionalize of Cyber Security as a critical component of Ghana’s sociology encomia development through the establishment of a secretariat early in 2017.

The PRO for the Foundation elaborated on the Statistics from various platforms which shows that, there are 4.95 billion internet users at the beginning of 2020, with internet penetration standing at 62.5% on world total population.

And according to report published by statistica.com, on March 31, 2022 as of January 2022, the internet penetrates rate in Ghana have reach 53% which is from 50% the same month last year. That is over estimate of 70 million users which is a significant number.

Addressing the press, she also made mentioned that groups like International Financial Company operation have posted Africa Internet economy to contribute to approximately 180 billion to it overall economy as at 2025 which is also a significant figure.

She advised the people gathered that, in spite of the potential benefits that we gain from it, there is a lot of opportunity as well for cyber-criminal to utilize this platform to intercept people’s experiences.

“And they take advantage of the reliance of these platforms for their own malicious purposes and gains.”

Furthermore, the 2020 global Cyber security index of the I.T.U. scores Ghana’s cyber security 86.69 showing a major progress from a rating 32.6 in 2017.

With this, Ghana has been placed 3rd in Africa leaving Mauritius and Tanzania behind. This has been a major achievement from 2017. This moves Ghana from a position of 86 across the globe.

This project Ghana as one of the best in the region and globally. Authorities have been able to address this through the launching of the national cyber security awareness month in October 2018 led by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr.  Bawumia.

The 5 years awareness program is to build capacity and build up cyber-crime in the country.