The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is reviewing its governing legislation to strengthen Ghana’s response to increasingly complex cybercrime cases.
Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, the Director of Communication, International Cooperation and Strategic Partnership, Benjamin Avornyotse disclosed that the review of the Cybersecurity Act is being led by the Minister responsible for the sector, Sam George, with the aim of aligning the law with emerging global standards and the evolving nature of cyber threats.
According to him, Ghana is dealing with sophisticated cyber investigations, some of which have national and intercontinental dimensions, requiring stronger legal and institutional frameworks.
“We are dealing with very complex investigations in cyberspace, some of which are at national and intercontinental levels. It requires that even the handling of cyber evidence by our courts and law enforcement agencies is something we need to look at carefully,” he said.
Mr. Avornyotse revealed that part of the ongoing review includes discussions on whether the NCSA should be granted expanded powers, including the authority to carry out arrests and prosecutions in specific cyber-related cases.
He stressed that without robust enforcement mechanisms and properly trained personnel, successful arrests may not necessarily translate into successful prosecutions.
“You may make all the noise about arrests, but when it comes to prosecution and handling cyber evidence, the technical complexity can become a challenge,” he noted.
To strengthen Ghana’s cybercrime response, the Authority has intensified collaboration with international partners, including the Council of Europe, INTERPOL, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
These partnerships, he said, are focused on training law enforcement agencies and enhancing investigative capacity to meet global best practices in digital forensics and cybercrime prosecution.
Mr. Avornyotse also disclosed that the Judicial Service of Ghana, in collaboration with the NCSA, has initiated the creation of specialised cyber courts to handle cybercrime-related cases.
He explained that cyber offences are highly technical and demand judges and prosecutors with specialised knowledge in digital evidence and cyber law.
“Cybersecurity crimes are very technical and quite complex. If you do not have the right training and expertise in handling cyber evidence, prosecution can become difficult,” he said.
The CSA is also working to close gaps in the protection of Ghana’s Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), which includes essential digital systems that support national security, financial services, telecommunications and other vital sectors.
Mr. Avornyotse said the Authority is working behind the scenes to tighten loopholes in cybercrime prosecution, improve evidence management processes, and strengthen institutional coordination to safeguard the country’s digital ecosystem.
The review of the Cybersecurity Act is expected to position Ghana to better confront emerging cyber threats while enhancing confidence in the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Source : www.zedmultimedia.com
