The Ghana Armed Forces, in collaboration with the Cyber Security Authority and the Ministry of Communication and Digitization, have officially launched the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Document, representing a key step forward in the nation’s efforts to combat cybercrime and misinformation.
This launch is part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which aims to educate citizens on the dangers of misinformation and disinformation took place at the Burma Hall, Burma Camp, on Monday 1 October 2024.
The launch, which formed part of events lined up for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, aimed at addressing misinformation and disinformation in a digitally resilient democracy.
It would provide clear strategic strategic objectives and initiatives with their corresponding descriptions, timelines and relevant stakeholders required to implement the strategic imperatives for a secure and resilient digital Ghana.
The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, in his opening remarks, praised the Cyber Security Authority and the Ministry of Communication and Digitization for selecting the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to host the event.
He reiterated GAF’s commitment to enhancing engagement and digitally protecting its infrastructure while urging the media and public to be cautious in their digital reporting.
Lt. Gen Oppong-Peprah further emphasised GAF’s preparedness to detect, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats before, during, and after the December elections.
He urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage to avoid creating fear and panic during the general elections and charged them to seek clarification from the GAF Department of Public Relations on issues involving soldiers before making such issues public.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who doubles as the Minister for Communication and Digitization and the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West in delivering her keynote address stressed the need for multistakeholder efforts to combat election-related misinformation, exchange best practices, and promote information sharing across industries.
She continued that cybersecurity awareness has strengthened government institutions and civil society organisations’ ability to monitor, analyse, and counter misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
She also highlighted the importance of collaborating with digital platform owners, such as Meta (Facebook), to establish effective strategies against misinformation and disinformation.
The Minister acknowledged the significant economic and societal benefits that digitalisation brings to the global population, including Ghanaians. However, she also cautioned that these technologies come with inherent risks, which cybercriminals could exploit, potentially harming individuals, businesses, societies, and nations as a whole.
“Studies have shown that our growing dependence on the Internet has introduced more risks and vulnerabilities, creating new opportunities for criminal activity,” she noted.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful further highlighted concerns about the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, which could destabilize the country’s democratic processes and governance, eroding public trust in institutions.
She clarified that misinformation involves the sharing of false or misleading information without malicious intent, whereas disinformation is the deliberate creation and dissemination of false information intended to deceive. Both, she warned, pose significant risks, especially as the nation approaches a critical electoral period in December.
“It is essential for all stakeholders to actively engage in safeguarding the integrity of the country’s information ecosystems,” she asserted.
The Minister emphasized that a resilient digital democracy is founded on the principles of inclusivity, accuracy, transparency, and accountability, where citizens, governments, media, technology developers, and civil society organisations collaborate to protect democratic processes.
She also pointed out that collective efforts in combating disinformation are vital, particularly given how rapidly false information can spread through digital channels, reaching millions within seconds.
“In this regard, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) will be engaging faith-based organisations in a ‘door-to-door’ campaign to educate the public on issues related to misinformation, disinformation, and other safe cyber practices,” she revealed.
Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority, Dr Albert Antwi-Bosiako, in his address, noted that Ghana has achieved a Tier 1 ranking in West Africa and the second-highest ranking in Africa in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index.
He emphasised the importance of upholding core values such as inclusivity, confidentiality, commitment, reliability, integrity, and professionalism.
Dr Antwi-Bosiako reiterated that cybersecurity was a shared responsibility, involving children, the public, business sectors, and government.
The European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Irchad Razaaly, expressed the EU’s commitment to championing agendas that preserve peace and security in the country.
He further stated that, the implementation of biometric registration has enhanced cyber technologies in elections and encouraged continuous education and training for journalists across the country.
Call to Action
Citizens are urged to be cautious online, particularly when clicking on links or forwarding messages.
The public is also encouraged to report false information and support efforts to maintain peaceful elections.
