Ghana has been awarded Tier 1 status in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), positioning the country as a global leader in cybersecurity.
The GCI ranks countries based on a five-tier system that assesses their cybersecurity frameworks, with Tier 1 being the highest level of recognition. Ghana’s placement in this category, known as the “Role Modelling” tier, underscores its advanced cybersecurity measures, serving as a benchmark for other nations.
This prestigious ranking highlights the robustness of Ghana’s cybersecurity infrastructure, which is vital in safeguarding its growing digital ecosystem. With a remarkable score of 99.27%, Ghana is the second-highest ranked country in Africa, after Mauritius, and is among only five African nations that have reached Tier 1. Globally, Ghana is part of a select group of 46 countries in this top category.
The GCI evaluates countries across five key pillars: Legal Measures, Technical Measures, Organisational Measures, Capacity Building, and Cooperation.
Ghana’s score indicates a marked improvement from the 2020 rankings, where the country was rated 86.69% and placed third in Africa, trailing behind Mauritius and Tanzania.
Ghana’s achievement in the GCI reflects significant advancements in several critical areas. The Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), remains a key driver of this success.
As a pioneering piece of legislation for the Global South, this law establishes protocols for the licensing and accreditation of cybersecurity service providers, making Ghana only the second country globally to implement such standards.
Furthermore, Ghana’s efforts to protect its Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs) have been instrumental, with the Cybersecurity Authority (CSA) overseeing the development of a comprehensive risk management framework and coordinating crisis management for government digital initiatives.
Institutional collaboration has also been a major factor, with the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC) exemplifying effective coordination between the public and private sectors. The upcoming launch of the Industry Forum, as stipulated under section 81 of Act 1038, is expected to further enhance these efforts.
Additionally, Ghana’s revision of its National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy provides clear guidance for continued growth in the field.
The country has also demonstrated a commitment to cybersecurity awareness through initiatives such as the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month, which, alongside capacity-building programs for law enforcement, the public sector, and academia, reflects Ghana’s dedication to enhancing cybersecurity skills.
The development of a robust Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) ecosystem has been equally critical, promoting better incident response and national coordination.
Public engagement in cybersecurity has been strengthened by the deployment of cybercrime reporting mechanisms, including dedicated points of contact and monthly public alerts.
Internationally, Ghana has earned recognition as a hub for training and capacity-building, particularly in partnership with organizations such as the European Union, Council of Europe (COE), the World Bank, and ECOWAS.
Ghana’s commitment to international cooperation is further highlighted by its ratification of the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention and its contributions to the adoption of the recent UN Convention on Cybercrimes.
The protection of children online has also been a priority for Ghana, evidenced by the review of its Child Online Protection framework and the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Challenge, aimed at promoting online safety for young internet users.
Ghana’s Tier 1 status in the GCI reflects the country’s unwavering commitment to securing its cyberspace and maintaining a resilient digital infrastructure.
This achievement is the result of collective efforts led by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the Joint Cybersecurity Committee (JCC), and other key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
While Ghana’s leadership in global cybersecurity is commendable, the country recognizes the need for continued progress, particularly in the area of capacity development. Despite excelling in four out of five pillars, Ghana’s capacity-building score highlights the need for increased investment to sustain and enhance its cybersecurity capabilities.
In comparison, major sub-Saharan countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon are still classified in Tier 3, indicating that they are in the process of establishing key cybersecurity initiatives. Ghana’s leadership in the region underscores the importance of continued efforts to expand its capacity and maintain its position as a global role model in cybersecurity.