News

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS), has conducted a cyber hygiene sensitisation for OHLGS staff to enhance their capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to cyberattacks.

The two-day programme held from May 6 to 7, 2025, in Accra was attended by Management, Senior Level, Middle Level, and support staff of the institution.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Golda Asante, the Director of Administration, General Services at the OHLGS, highlighted the importance of the training in equipping staff with the cyber knowledge and skills to stay vigilant and informed.

The Director for Capacity Building and Awareness Creation at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Mr. Alexander Oppong, emphasised that the training aligns with the Authority’s mandate to safeguard Ghana’s cyberspace through capacity building and awareness creation. He indicated that “the plan is to sensitise personnel working in all district and municipal assemblies across the country to stay ahead of cybercriminals and make Ghana’s digital space more secure”.

The training sessions were facilitated by Mr. Eric Bansah and Mr. Kwaku Sarpong Manu, both officials from the CSA. Mr. Eric Bansah educated participants on common cyber threats such as phishing, malware, and social engineering. They were advised on best practices to secure their mobile devices, including the use of strong passwords, regularly backing up data on devices and downloading apps from genuine sources, among others.

Management members were also trained on cybersecurity governance and oversight frameworks to ensure the effective integration of cybersecurity into the organisation’s operations and decision-making processes.

Mr. Kwaku Sarpong Manu’s training focused on vulnerabilities specific to the local government ecosystem. These included the use of pirated software, inadequate incident response capabilities, and the risks posed by third-party vendors. He urged participants to adopt secure cyber practices and highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication with the National Computer Emergency Response Team situated at the CSA.

Additionally, he advised that any cybersecurity incidents be reported promptly via the CSA's 24/7 Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Points of Contact for advice and assistance.