REMARKS BY HON. SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIONS GHANA–ITALY COOPERATION ON CYBERSECURITY STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP AT THE FIESTA ROYAL HOTEL
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

REMARKS BY HON. SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATIONS GHANA–ITALY COOPERATION ON CYBERSECURITY STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP AT THE FIESTA ROYAL HOTEL Distinguished representatives of the Government of Italy, Partners from Cyber 4.0 Cybersecurity Competence Center, Participants, Ladies and gentlemen, Good morning. It is an honour to address this distinguished gathering as we advance Ghana and Italy’s cooperation on cybersecurity, an engagement that reflects our shared commitment to securing the digital future of our economies, our people, and the global community. Ghana appreciates Italy’s role in enhancing this collaboration that will, overall, boost capacity building and awareness creation on cybersecurity and further support our endeavour to lead Africa in cybersecurity excellence. Ghana’s digital transformation agenda continues to expand rapidly, driven by investments in connectivity, innovation and digital public infrastructure. As this transformation accelerates, cybersecurity has become a central pillar of our national developmen t strategy essential for safeguarding trust, protecting critical systems and enabling sustainable economic growth. Between January and March 2026 alone, the National Computer emergency response team has recorded 3,500 incidents, with increasing reports of malware activity, ransomware attempts and attacks targeting Critical Information Infrastructure (CII). The rise in cross-border cyber threats further underscores the importance of structured international cooperation, such as the partnership we are strengthening today. In response, Ghana has intensified enforcement efforts. From January 2026 to date, several coordinated operations have led to the arrest of multiple individuals involved in cyber -related crimes, including online fraud networks and identity theft syndicate s. These actions build on the broader momentum since 2025, where hundreds of cybercrime -related arrests have been made through collaboration between the Cyber Security Authority and other law enforcement agencies and international partners. This demonstrates Ghana’s firm commitment not only to prevention but also to detection, disruption, and prosecution of cybercriminal activity. Distinguished guests, at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, we are implementing a comprehensive set of flagship programmes that place cybersecurity at the core of our digital agenda. The One Million Coders Programme is a key national initiative aimed at building a future -ready workforce. Beyond coding, the programme integrates secure software development practices and cybersecurity awareness, ensuring that the next generation of Ghanaian developers build resilient and secure digital systems. Similarly, the Girls in ICT Programme continues to play a transformative role in expanding digital inclusion and empowering young girls with critical technology skills. As part of this initiative, cybersecurity awareness and digital safety are being embedd ed to ensure that participants are not only users of technology, but also informed and responsible digital citizens. In addition, we are strengthening regulatory and institutional frameworks to enhance trust in the digital ecosystem. This includes the certification and licensing of cybersecurity service providers, which is critical to ensuring standards, professionalism, and accountability within the industry. We are also advancing efforts to identify, designate, and protect Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) across the 13 CII sectors of the economy. The protection of these 2 systems remains a top national priority, given their importance to national security, economic stability, and public safety. Furthermore, the Cyber Security Authority continues to expand its operational capabilities, particularly through CERT-GH, to enhance incident detection, response, and recovery across both public and private sectors. Key to all these is capacity building to enhance the skills of stakeholders in cybersecurity related matters and to support cybersecurity development in the country at large. This is why this partnerships event is essential as it will enable knowledge exchange, capacity development, and the sharing of best practices, while strengthening our collective ability to respond to an increasingly complex threat landscape. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. It requires collaboration across governments, industry, academia, and international partners. Ghana remains committed to deepening this collaboration not only as a beneficiary, but as a proactive contributor to regional and global cybersecurity efforts. Through this partnership, we look forward to advancing practical solutions, strengthening institutional capacities, and building a secure and resilient digital future for all. I thank you for your attention and wish you fruitful deliberations.