The maiden edition of the National Cybersecurity Education Conference (NaCEC) was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the GITEC Auditorium in Accra, bringing together key stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to advance cybersecurity education in Ghana.

Organised under the theme “Empowering Higher Education for Cyber Resilience and Digital Rights,” the conference sought to deepen national dialogue on how educational institutions can play a pivotal role in strengthening cyber resilience and safeguarding the rights of digital citizens.

Delivering the welcome address, the Acting Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, underscored the urgent need for collective action to combat the growing threat of cybercrime.

He noted that the education sector — which holds vast amounts of sensitive data — has become an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Mr. Agbeti highlighted that Ghana’s accelerated digital transformation, while commendable, has also exposed the country to new digital risks such as data breaches, sextortion, admissions scams, and cyberbullying.

“Our progress in digitalisation must be matched by a corresponding commitment to cybersecurity.

Without it, the gains we have made can easily be undermined,” he cautioned.

He further noted that there is currently a global shortage of about four million cybersecurity professionals, stressing the need for Ghana to adopt a structured and sustainable approach to building a cyber-aware and resilient workforce.

To that end, Mr. Agbeti announced that the Cyber Security Authority, in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has developed a National Cybersecurity Competency and Qualification Framework.

This initiative aims to create a clear learning pathway — from basic cyber literacy to advanced professional certification — for students and professionals across the country.

Additionally, the CSA has supported the establishment of an Education Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (EduCERT) to enhance coordination and response to cybersecurity incidents within academic institutions.

Mr. Agbeti called on the Minister for Education to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CSA and GTEC to formalise and scale up cybersecurity education across tertiary institutions.

“Cybersecurity education must become as fundamental as literacy or numeracy. Every graduate, regardless of discipline, should possess basic cyber hygiene and an understanding of digital rights,” he emphasized.

The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the Cyber Security Authority’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Education, GTEC, and other stakeholders to promote cybersecurity awareness, research, and innovation.

The inaugural NaCEC is expected to become an annual national platform for dialogue, capacity building, and collaboration in cybersecurity education — a crucial step toward ensuring a safe, secure, and trusted digital future for Ghana.