Ghanaian Times spotlights call to tackle cyber security threats to safeguard digital assets

APA – Accra (Ghana)
The call by President Akufo-Addo to tackle cyber security threats to safeguard digital assets is one of the leadings stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Ghanaian Times reports that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for concerted efforts in tackling emerging cyber security threats that has the potential of impeding socio-economic development.
He said digitalisation of economies and societies had been a transformative process contributing significantly to socio-economic development, hence the need for the required infrastructure to safeguard digital assets and internet securities.
“Advancement in technology has led to advances in cyber threats, making it imperative for state and non-state actors to build infrastructure needed to safeguard digital assets and internet securities,” he noted.
This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by the Senior Presidential Advisor, Mr Yaw Osafo-Marfo, during the opening of a two-day Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B) aimed at improving awareness of decision makers on cyber capacity building, and strengthening global coordination efforts in Accra.
It was organised collaboratively with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Cyber Security Authority, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GECE), the Cyber Peace Institute, the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum.
President Akufo-Addo stated that, cybercriminals were currently threatening the digital development of the country due to increased internet penetration and access to Informational Communication and Technology (ICT) tools.
He said, a research conducted by Cyber Security Ventures, indicated that the damages incurred by all forms of cybercrime, including the cost of recovery and remediation, totalledUS$3 trillion in 2015, US$6 trillion in 2021, and could reach US$10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
The newspaper says that the West Africa Food System Resil¬ience Programme (FSRP) which aims at increasing pre¬paredness against food insecurity and build resilience of food systems in the sub-region was launched yesterday in Kumasi.
The five-year project, starting this year, would see Ghana offered $150million by the World Bank Group towards her activities to ensure food security in the country. Other participating countries are Togo, Mali, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad.
In Ghana, FSRP, being driven by the Ministry of Food and Agricul¬ture, is expected to roll out innova¬tive and sustainable interventions to vulnerable households, farmers, families and communities to with¬stand uncertainty and shocks in food production and supply in the sub-region.
On the theme, ‘Joining Forces for Food System Risk in West Africa,’ the programme brought together experts/scientists and farmer groups from various districts in Ashanti and beyond.
According to the Project Coordinator, Osei Owusu Agyemang, Ghana, under the project would set up rice mills, rehabilitate the nation’s veterinary laboratories in Accra and Dorma Ahenkro to first class laboratories.
He mentioned the upgrading of existing warehouses into model multipurpose facilities, ensure all year-round tomatoes production in the Savanna, middle and coastal belts.
The Minister of Food and Agri¬culture, (MoFA), Dr Bryan Ache¬ampong, noted in a speech read on his behalf, that FSRP had come at a critical juncture, especially con¬sidering the uncertainties posed by climate change, the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and the impact of COVID-19 across the agricul¬tural value chain.
He emphasised the pivotal role communities would play in ensur¬ing the success of the FSRP.
The Graphic reports that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has affirmed that the proposed legislation titled “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values” will be enacted before the parliamentary recess for the festive season.
This assurance follows recent accusations by sponsors of the Anti-Gay bill, claiming that the Majority in Parliament is obstructing its passage. The controversy emerged when the First Deputy Speaker reportedly declined a request to move the bill to the consideration stage.
Mr. Samuel Nartey George, a proponent of the bill and Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, accused the Majority Caucus of intentionally impeding the legislative process. He asserted that the next approach would involve exposing Majority MPs allegedly influenced by individuals advocating for LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
The Majority Caucus has refuted these allegations. Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi, Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee in Parliament, denied claims of sabotage, asserting that the Ningo-Prampram MP is aware of the underlying issues causing delays in the bill’s passage.
In response to the parliamentary developments, Speaker Bagbin expressed confidence that the bill would be approved before the House adjourns for the Christmas and New Year break.
He emphasized the collective expectation to address the legislation promptly, underscoring potential consequences for members’ political careers if it is not enacted before the recess.
The newspaper says that the British High Commission in Accra has donated eight ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) as part of its annual Security Dialogue.
The ambulances are to help improve medical services delivery in the five northern regions of Ghana, North East, Northern, Savanna, Upper East and Upper West.
Demonstrating bilateral collaboration and commitment to strengthening the UK-Ghana security partnership, the British High Commission has presented eight ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces to improve medical outreach in the Northern border regions.
The official handover ceremony which took place today at the Burma Camp in Accra is a testament of the strong security and defence ties the UK and Ghana share.
The event brought together the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama from the Ghana Armed Forces, British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, representatives from the UK government and representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, showcasing a collaborative effort to bolster peace and security in the Northern regions.
Ghana, like her neighbours appreciate the importance of civilian cooperation in the Northern regions as the Armed Forces work alongside Non-Governmental Organisations in the fight to prevent and limit violent extremist organisations.
The ambulances provided are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to aid the Ghana Armed Forces in their medical outreaches in the five Northern regions as part of the UK-Ghana Civilian Military Cooperation Programme.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, James Heappey said: “Ghana is a key partner for the UK, we work together to tackle shared challenges from violent extremism in the Sahel to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and this donation underscores the strong partnership between the UK and Ghana”.
GIK/APA