March 12, 2024 In Newsroom By WACSI
WACSI and Mott Foundation Lead Charge in Enhancing CSOs Digital Security in Ghana
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[Accra, Ghana, 8 March 2024] – Recent findings from a report titled “Landscape Mapping of Civil Society Digital Security in West Africa” have underscored the pressing need for enhanced digital security measures within the civic space.
The report reveals a concerning trend, with 31% of surveyed civil society organisations experiencing digital security breaches in the past year alone, indicating a pervasive and growing threat.
Of equal concern is the evident lack of awareness and proficiency in digital security practices among CSOs, with 43% of respondents unaware of organisational methods for safeguarding digital tools and 67% uncertain about appropriate responses to cyber incidents. This glaring knowledge gap highlights the critical necessity for targeted digital security initiatives and educational interventions within the CSO sector.
In response to this, the West Africa Civil Society Institute, WACSI, in collaboration with the Mott Foundation, has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening the digital resilience of CSOs across West Africa.
This initiative culminated in a five-day training programme held in Ghana from February 26 to March 1, 2024, under the theme “Strengthening Digital Resilience of Civil Society in West Africa.”
The training, attended by eighty (80) participants from forty (40) CSOs across Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal, sought to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively mitigate cyber threats.
Through a combination of theoretical sessions and practical exercises, participants delved into various aspects of digital security, including phishing scams, malware attacks, and digital rights protection.
Noteworthy was the hands-on approach adopted during the training, with participants engaging in practical exercises such as password strength evaluation and phishing email identification. These interactive activities provided invaluable insights and equipped participants with practical tools to safeguard their organisations against cyber threats.
Participants lauded the comprehensive content and interactive nature of the training, highlighting its transformative impact on their understanding of digital security issues.
Christopher Wisdom Penu of Royal Africa Generational Thinkers commended the participatory nature of the training, emphasising its relevance to organisational cyber security policies.
He stated, “The participatory mode by which the entire participants were engaging in conversation and activities throughout and to be exposed to the details of internet safety and safe browsing and online security was very amazing, what stood for me was the organisational cyber security policy.”
Similarly, Bertha Klenam Afi Hamenu from the same organisation praised the enriching content of the training, noting a significant enhancement in her knowledge of cyber security principles.
She said, “This particular training organised by WACSI was a very interesting one, and educative one. The contents were rich. Prior to the training, I didn’t have much knowledge in cyber security but after this training, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge in all of that field, which is going to help me personally, and the people I know, and mainly also my organisation.”
Derek Kwesi Okai from the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) described the training as a transformative experience, emphasising its role in raising awareness about digital security issues and empowering participants to safeguard their organisations effectively.
He stated, “I’m very happy to participate in this training. It has enlightened me on so many issues, especially in digital rights and focusing. I’ve learned a lot especially also when it comes to issues of digital security before we could take a lot of things for granted but this training has opened our eyes to some of the things we have to do to keep our organisation and the information within very secure,” he said.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like this serve as beacons of hope, illuminating pathways towards a more secure and resilient civil society in West Africa.
Through collaborative efforts and targeted interventions, the region stands poised to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and preparedness.
We truly appreciate Mott Foundation for supporting this important initiative.
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