Introduction
Cybersecurity has become a core part of national strength. Countries across the world now rely on strong digital systems to protect their economies, government operations and critical infrastructure. Ghana took an important step in this direction when it passed the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). The law set out to create a safer digital environment by establishing the Cyber Security Authority, licensing cybersecurity service providers, and protecting critical information infrastructure.
A recent critical review compares Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act to major international frameworks such as the Budapest Convention, the AU Malabo Convention, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The findings show that Ghana has made meaningful progress, but there is still room to strengthen alignment with global best practices.
Where Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act Performs Strongly
One major strength is the creation of the Cyber Security Authority as the national body in charge of cybersecurity coordination and oversight. This matches international expectations that countries should have a central authority for cyber governance. Ghana’s participation in international agreements, including the Budapest Convention, also signals its commitment to global cooperation on cybercrime and digital security.
Another important area is the protection of Critical Information Infrastructure. The law requires operators to register their systems, follow sector-specific directives and report incidents. This is consistent with global standards that place high priority on securing essential services such as finance, energy, health and telecommunications.
Ghana also made an important move by introducing licensing for cybersecurity professionals and service providers. This step raises the bar for industry quality and helps protect organizations from unqualified actors.
Key Gaps That Need Attention
Despite its strengths, the review highlights several areas requiring improvement.
One issue is the lack of a uniform breach-reporting framework across all industries. While Critical Information Infrastructure operators must report incidents within 24 hours, Ghana does not have a consistent rule for all organizations. Global standards, such as the GDPR’s 72-hour rule or ISO/IEC 27001’s clear incident-response expectations, offer more clarity and consistency.
Another area of concern is governance. Unlike some international frameworks, Act 1038 does not clearly require organizations to adopt structured cybersecurity risk-management systems such as ISO/IEC 27001 or the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Without this, security practices may differ widely across industries, leaving gaps in national cyber resilience.
The Act also gives the state powers for lawful interception and data preservation. While these powers exist in many cybersecurity laws worldwide, Ghana’s version lacks clear safeguards that ensure transparency and proportionality. Leading jurisdictions now require annual transparency reports to maintain public trust.
Additionally, supply-chain security is not fully addressed in the law. Major global cyber incidents have shown that attackers increasingly exploit third-party vendors. International frameworks now require stronger vendor-risk controls. Ghana will need to incorporate similar measures to keep pace with modern threats.
Finally, the Act overlaps with Ghana’s Data Protection Act, creating confusion for businesses on reporting obligations. A streamlined and harmonized reporting process, similar to the approach used in the European Union, would remove duplication and encourage faster reporting.
Moving Forward: How Ghana Can Strengthen Its Cyber Future
Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act is a significant achievement and positions the country as a leader in Africa’s digital security landscape. But as cyber threats evolve, the law must evolve too.
Adopting a uniform national breach-notification system, mandating internationally recognized risk-management frameworks, improving transparency around state powers, and addressing supply-chain risks will close the remaining gaps. Ghana would also benefit from clearer collaboration between the Cyber Security Authority and the Data Protection Commission to remove duplicate reporting requirements.
By making these improvements, Ghana can enhance public trust, support private-sector compliance and strengthen its position as a reliable partner in global cybersecurity cooperation.
