Cyber Security Authority trains Ministry of Gender staff on cyber risks and child online protection

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) Ghana has conducted a four-day training programme on cybersecurity and child online protection for staff of the Research, Statistics and Information Management (RSIM) Directorate of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The workshop focused on strengthening institutional awareness of online risks affecting children in Ghana, while also providing a broader overview of the country’s cybersecurity landscape and evolving threat environment.

Facilitators highlighted a range of persistent cybersecurity threats, including disinformation and misinformation, impersonation cases driven in part by the growing use of artificial intelligence, insider threats, digital extortion, and business email compromise.

Participants were also taken through common vulnerabilities exploited by threat actors, including weak password practices, outdated software and operating systems, the circulation of malware-infected files, use of pirated software, and exposure to risks associated with public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

In a technical presentation, Mr. Eric Kafui Bansah outlined key attack vectors and methods used by cybercriminals, emphasizing how emerging technologies such as deepfakes are increasingly being used to deceive users and compromise systems.

Another session led by Mr. Nelson Herald Darko focused on online child sexual exploitation. He outlined major risks faced by children in digital spaces, including sexual extortion, transactional relationships, exposure to explicit content, and cyberbullying.

He further explained the grooming tactics used by predators, commonly referred to as the “7 Ps,” which include praise, precocious conversations, creating a sense of privacy, giving gifts, and gradually isolating children from trusted adults.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity in safeguarding vulnerable groups online and improving national resilience against cyber threats.