OLA Girls Senior High School (SHS) in Ho has emerged as the victor in the 2023 Edition of the National Cyber Security Challenge, held in Accra.
The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the two-day Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B).
OLA Girls SHS secured the top position and claimed a cash prize of GH7,000, along with a trophy and certificates of participation.
Wesley Girls' SHS and Prempeh College shared the second place, each receiving a prize of GH2,000 and certificates. Navrongo Senior High School, securing the third position, was awarded GH1,000 and certificates.
The National Cyber Security Challenge is a government initiative led by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to promote cyber safety and awareness among senior high school students.
The competition provides students with hands-on experiences in identifying, preventing, and mitigating cyber threats.
The primary objectives of the competition include enhancing awareness of Cyber Security Best Practices, addressing students' online vulnerability, and equipping them with the skills to interact with digital technology confidently, safely, and responsibly.
This year's competition featured a division of the country into four zones – Northern, Middle, Eastern, and Southern, with 50 SHSs representing the 16 regions of Ghana.
The participants underwent training on various aspects of cybersecurity, including Child Online Protection provisions in the Cybersecurity Act, digital footprint, social engineering, and open-source intelligence.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications and Digitalization, urged conference delegates to carry forward the momentum generated during the event. She emphasized the importance of the ideas shared, collaborations formed, and lessons learned serving as catalysts for positive change.
The Minister highlighted the significance of the Accra Call, signed on the first day of the conference, as a call to action for governments and organizations worldwide.
It aims to elevate cyber resilience across international and national development agendas. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful reiterated the government's commitment to fighting cybercrime and ensuring a secure and resilient digital ecosystem through effective cybersecurity regulation and development.
As the conference concluded, she urged participants to maintain the connections established, continue the dialogue, and implement the strategies and insights gained over the two days.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that the journey toward a more secure cyberspace is ongoing, and collaboration is key to navigating the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
The discussions and decisions made at the conference are expected to have a lasting impact on the future of cybersecurity, not only in Africa but globally.
The event focused on both technical and societal aspects of cybersecurity, acknowledging its broad significance in contemporary society.