By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
Ghana
has highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity as a critical component
of national sovereignty during the ECOWAS Hackathon held in Accra.
Speaking
at the event, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and
Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, emphasized that countries that fail to
secure their digital infrastructure risk becoming dependent on external actors
in an increasingly digital and artificial intelligence-driven global economy.
The
Minister noted that cybersecurity has evolved beyond a technical concern to
become a strategic national issue, with implications for economic resilience,
digital independence, and national security.
He
also drew attention to the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals,
describing skills development as one of Africa’s most pressing digital
challenges. According to him, the continent’s opportunity lies not in the
availability of digital jobs but in the speed at which countries can build and
deploy the required talent.
As
part of Ghana’s response, Samuel George highlighted the One Million Coders
Programme, which aims to develop a new generation of digital and cybersecurity
professionals capable of supporting the country’s digital transformation
agenda.
The
ECOWAS Hackathon brought together young innovators, technology experts,
policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore solutions to emerging
digital challenges and strengthen regional collaboration in technology and
innovation.
The
discussions underscored the increasing recognition of cybersecurity as a
foundation for sustainable digital development across West Africa and the
broader continent.
