The Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) has warned of potential cyber threats to Ghana’s December 7 elections, urging stakeholders to take speedy motion to safeguard the electoral course of.
The ACDT, in a press assertion, highlighted the rising threat of cyber-attacks as digital programs change into more and more integral to Ghanaian society, together with its electoral processes. The group emphasised the nationwide significance of addressing these threats to make sure the integrity and safety of the upcoming elections.
The ACDT’s issues are based mostly on a sequence of cyber incidents which have affected elections in West Africa in recent times.
Through the 2015 and 2019 elections in Nigeria, cyber-attacks focused the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), trying to hack into databases and unfold disinformation. Though some programs have been compromised, INEC maintained that these assaults didn’t affect total election outcomes. In 2018, cyber-attacks aimed toward Sierra Leone’s Nationwide Electoral Fee (NEC) sought to disrupt the electoral course of and manipulate public notion. The federal government responded by enhancing cybersecurity measures to guard the election.
The assertion alleged that Ghana’s 2016 elections noticed the Electoral Fee’s web site attacked, inflicting non permanent shutdowns. It mentioned within the 2020 elections, quite a few cyber threats prompted elevated cybersecurity efforts by the Nationwide Communications Authority (NCA) and the Cybersecurity Authority.
To mitigate these dangers, the ACDT recommends strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure, involving common safety audits and penetration testing.
It additional recommends capability constructing and coaching for electoral officers and IT personnel on cybersecurity greatest practices in addition to public consciousness campaigns to teach the general public on recognizing and avoiding misinformation and selling digital literacy.
It additionally desires the state to develop incident response plans and often replace them to deal with and mitigate any cyber incidents promptly.
The Govt Director of ACDT, Kwesi Atuahene burdened the significance of cybersecurity in guaranteeing a safe, clear, and credible electoral course of.
“As we method the 2024 elections, we should be ready to counter cyber threats and shield the integrity of our electoral programs,” Mr. Atuahene mentioned.
The ACDT is dedicated to supporting the Ghanaian authorities, the Electoral Fee, and all stakeholders on this effort, urging them to prioritize cybersecurity and work collaboratively to guard Ghana’s democracy from cyber threats.