News
Stakeholders converge in Accra for ETHOCON 2025 Cyber Security Conference
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1002449999-1000x600.jpg&description=Stakeholders converge in Accra for ETHOCON 2025 Cyber Security Conference', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1002449999-1000x600.jpg&description=Stakeholders converge in Accra for ETHOCON 2025 Cyber Security Conference', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Stakeholders in Ghana’s digital and cybersecurity space have converged in Accra for the Ethical Hacking and Offensive Cybersecurity Conference (ETHOCON 2025) to deliberate on safeguarding the country’s digital systems amid growing technological advancement.
Themed “Cyber Resilience for Ghana’s Digital Leap,” the high-level event is being organized by the Ethical Hacking and Offensive Security Centre (Ethosec), a cybersecurity-focused organization, to discuss strategies for strengthening the country’s cyber infrastructure in the face of increasing digital transformation.
The conference brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, civil society, leading cybersecurity experts, tech entrepreneurs, and policy advocates.
ETHOCON 2025 featured expert panel discussions and thought leadership sessions exploring emerging threats, national preparedness, digital policy direction, and the future of cybersecurity in Ghana.
Speaking with journalists, the CEO of the National Youth Authority, Osman Ayariga, said the government had taken cybersecurity seriously since the rise of the internet, putting in place laws and institutions to protect Ghana’s digital space.
He explained that laws such as the Data Protection Act and the Cybersecurity Act were helping to secure the country’s online platforms. 
He added that government had also established offices like the Signal Bureau and supported infrastructure that ensures digital safety.
According to him, while protecting cyberspace, the government was also creating opportunities for young people through tech-based programs like the One Million coders Program, Innovation Hubs, and soft skills training under the National Apprenticeship Program.
Mr. Ayariga stressed that these initiatives were part of efforts to ensure young Ghanaians were not left behind in the global digital race.
He said digital literacy, coding, online marketing, and awareness of risks like cyberbullying and hacking were now essential skills for the youth.
He also emphasized that President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for national programs was inclusive, not political.
He pointed out that the aim was to reduce unemployment and security risks by training Ghanaians regardless of their political background.
Founder of Ethosec and lead organizer of the conference, Ashraf Saaka, noted that while Ghana had made progress in building cybersecurity structures, public understanding of the issue remained narrow.
He explained that most people associate cyber threats with scams or mobile money fraud, but in reality, attacks on hospitals, electricity, and water systems could cause more serious national problems.
Mr. Saaka urged organizations to move beyond profit-focused thinking and make security a top priority.
He highlighted the importance of strategies like Zero Trust, which ensures that digital tools are secure from the ground up.
He urged cybersecurity professionals to constantly learn and adapt “because attackers only need to succeed once, but defenders must get it right every time.”
By Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people and retrieved firearms, ammunition and other offensive items during an intelligence led operation at Sapeiman Faase in the Greater Accra Region.
According to a press release issued by the Command on Monday, the operation was carried out jointly with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) on July 17, 2026.
The Police identified the suspects as Torgbui Agah Semaglo, 50, Shadrach Agah Semaglo, 22, William Kweku Sedanu, 21, Cyril Kassenu, 26, and Kingsford Agah Semaglo, 18.
The Command said a search at the suspects’ premises led to the retrieval of a pump action gun, a Stoeger ST R9 pistol, a dummy Austria pistol, a jackknife, a face mask, 12 BB cartridges, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one AK-47 round of ammunition, a talisman and two kitchen knives.
It noted that all the items had been kept as exhibits to support investigations.
The Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal group involved in armed robbery and landguard activities.
It alleged that they used the recovered weapons to terrorise residents in Sapeiman and nearby communities.
The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to determine their involvement in other robbery cases and related criminal activities. The Police also said it was working to identify and arrest any additional accomplices.
The Accra Regional Police Command commended members of the public for providing credible information that supported its work and urged residents to remain vigilant.
It encouraged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers, adding that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the region.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a revised national curriculum for kindergarten to junior high school will be presented to the Ministry of Education on Wednesday for further approval.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today, Mr. Iddrisu said the new curriculum was developed by the National Curriculum Assessment Agency (NaCCA) as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning at the basic education level.
According to him, the revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Ministry before it is forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama. He added that it will then be sent to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.
Mr. Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is designed to support a “Smart Start” approach by strengthening the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
He explained that the government intends to introduce new subjects, including coding, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into the basic school curriculum.
The Minister said the changes form part of the government’s commitment to equipping pupils with practical and digital skills needed to meet the demands of the modern world.
He expressed confidence that the revised curriculum would help prepare learners for future opportunities by integrating technology and innovation into education from the early years of schooling.
By: Jacob Aggrey
