Experts at NCSAM 2025 Urge Stronger Collaboration and Training to Tackle Rising Digital Threats

Experts at the launch of Ghana’s 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM2025) have called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, deeper training, and broader public education to defend the country’s digital ecosystem against persistent cyber threats.

John Awuah, CEO of the Ghana Association of Banks, stated that cybercriminals are relentless, making it crucial to prioritize resilience. He explained that Ghana’s financial sector remains highly regulated, compelling banks to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, but stressed that individuals must also take responsibility.

“To be successful, you need the users to also take a certain level of action. And that is why the public education sensitization and educating the general public on safe use … is very critical.”

On inter-agency collaboration, Awuah noted the importance of the industry code. “The industry code sets the minimum standard that each actor within the cybersecurity space must comply with. It sets up the governance system, the ethical standards. It gives us a common language.”

Mrs. Audrey Mnisi Mireku, Banking Operations, Risk and Cyber Security Executive at the Ghana Association of Banks, said Ghana has made significant progress globally. “Internationally we are doing very well. We have the frameworks in place, and they are working. Government as an enabler has done its part. It’s left with us to support government as private sector, as academia, to push and operationalize the frameworks.”

Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn, Founder and Chancellor of Wisconsin International University College, Ghana, emphasized skills development. “The first thing that we have to do is the question of training. Without training, it’s going to be very difficult. We need to train all the stakeholders … The biggest problem we have in this country is that people are intellectually civilized but practically primitive.”

Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Director General of the National Communications Authority, outlined efforts to boost consumer protection. “The public needs to gain better awareness of the issues so that everybody can play their role in first ensuring that they secure themselves … you have a duty to yourself and to your organization to make sure that you are security aware.”

The panel also underscored Ghana’s leadership role in Africa. Mireku noted, “Ghana’s re-election as ANCA (African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities) chair is not a mistake. Africa trusts us, the international world trusts us. We have set the bar way too high and it is our responsibility to actually help the other 54 countries … so when we need help or they need help, we are all singing from the same hymn book.”

Dr. Fynn urged more investment in infrastructure. “This idea of cyber takes a lot of money and so we need heavy investment, especially in the facilities to run this cybersecurity. Without investment, forget it. It will be a failure.”

Contributions from civil society and industry called for simplifying cybersecurity messages into local languages, ensuring public institutions establish dedicated cybersecurity units, and strengthening child online protection efforts.

Rev. Fianko, with a reminder of individual responsibility, said, “On the personal level, let us all continue to do our part. Don’t click where you are not sure. If something looks suspicious, yes, it is suspicious … one point of vulnerability could affect many other people in the chain. Let’s keep Ghana secure in cyberspace.”

Read More