Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has been elected to lead the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) in a decisive move towards bolstering cybersecurity efforts across Africa.
This organization, established by Smart Africa, aims to enhance coordination among cybersecurity authorities across the continent.
ANCA brings together numerous African cybersecurity entities, fostering collaboration and exchanges among its members. Currently, it comprises 17 dedicated National Cybersecurity Authorities from countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, and more.
Ghana’s election as the Chair of ANCA was confirmed during the 2nd meeting on November 28, 2023, in Accra, held alongside the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B). The Kingdom of Morocco was appointed as the Vice Chair. Together, the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Smart Africa Secretariat will form the ANCA Bureau, overseeing governance, action plans, and advocacy for members’ interests.
This election marks another milestone for Ghana, showcasing its increasing leadership role in addressing cybersecurity challenges on the continent.
The announcement comes on the heels of Ghana’s successful hosting of the Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building on November 29, attended by over 800 delegates from 100+ countries.
Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority and the newly elected Chair of the African Network for Cybersecurity, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, outlined Ghana’s vision for the network.
Priorities include establishing an effective governance structure, expanding membership beyond the current 17 countries, facilitating operational exchanges among members, exploring funding models for cybersecurity development, and contributing to Smart Africa’s flagship initiatives.
Ghana’s strides in cybersecurity were emphasized, with the country scoring 86.69% in the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). This significant progress reflects a notable leap from 32.6% in 2017, positioning Ghana as the 3rd-ranking country in Africa.
The Smart Africa initiative, aimed at transforming the continent into a knowledge economy, aligns with ANCA’s goals. It involves providing affordable broadband access, utilizing ICT, and promoting sustainable development. The initiative, launched in 2013, has gained support from all 53 African countries, with 39 actively participating.
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako expressed the importance of Ghana’s role in ANCA, stating, “Our vision is to provide leadership in cybersecurity matters on the African continent, contributing to Smart Africa’s initiatives and advocating for Africa’s cybersecurity interests globally.”
The Smart Africa Alliance, responsible for implementing and monitoring the Smart Africa Manifesto, focuses on pillars such as policy, access, e-government, private sector/entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, supported by enablers including innovation, communications, and advocacy, capacity building, and resource mobilization. The ultimate goal is to promote economic growth and job creation in Africa.