ECOWAS CONFERS WITH GHANA ON REGIONAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES

On the sidelines of the 4th Edition of the ECOWAS Regional Hackathon, the ECOWAS Director of Digital Economy and Post, Ms Folake Olagunju, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, to strengthen collaboration and seek support for ongoing regional digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives.

During the meeting, Ms Olagunju highlighted ECOWAS’ commitment to advancing the region’s digital economy and enhancing cybersecurity preparedness. She underscored ongoing efforts to establish a regional Cybersecurity Centre and reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to capacity development in line with the Regional Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Strategy of 2021, which places skills development and human capital enhancement at the core of the region’s cybersecurity strategy.

The discussions focused on the importance of regional cooperation in addressing emerging cyber threats, strengthening digital infrastructure, and building a resilient digital ecosystem capable of supporting economic growth and innovation across West Africa.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George welcomed the ECOWAS delegation and reiterated Ghana’s commitment to supporting regional efforts aimed at creating a secure and trusted digital environment for citizens and businesses. He emphasized the need for greater synergy among ECOWAS Member States, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity intelligence sharing, cross-border frequency coordination for telecommunications services, and digital innovation.

“We must create stronger collaboration among Member States where data, expertise, and resources can be shared to address cyber threats and accelerate telecommunications advancement. If Ghana succeeds, the entire region succeeds. We should consolidate our digital progress while respecting the sovereignty of each Member State,” the Minister stated.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of ECOWAS and the Government of Ghana to strengthening regional cyber resilience, promoting digital trust, and fostering a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce. These efforts form part of ECOWAS’ broader vision of building a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future for the West African region.