Minister Samuel Nartey George Urges West African Developers to Secure Digital Sovereignty at ECOWAS Hackathon

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a strong call for West African nations to prioritize digital security as a matter of national sovereignty. Speaking at the opening of the ECOWAS Regional Hackathon 2026 in Accra, the Minister warned that a failure to protect local digital infrastructure would lead to an unsustainable dependency on foreign vendors and expertise. He emphasized that for West Africa to truly own its digital future, it must cultivate a homegrown workforce capable of defending its systems against increasingly sophisticated global threats.

The urgency of this call is underscored by findings from the Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, which indicates a sharp rise in cybercrimes across the continent, including complex ransomware attacks. Minister George highlighted a staggering global shortage of over four million cybersecurity professionals, noting that the talent gap is particularly severe in Africa. By failing to bridge this gap, he argued, the region remains vulnerable to economic and security disruptions that could undermine years of digital progress and national independence.

To counter these threats, Ghana has implemented several strategic initiatives through its Cyber Security Authority (CSA). The Minister pointed to the One Million Coders Programme as a cornerstone of the government's effort to build local capacity in coding and cybersecurity. This program is designed to empower young Ghanaians with the technical skills needed to create secure software and manage digital defenses, thereby reducing reliance on external security solutions and fostering a culture of innovation and ethical technology use.

The 2026 ECOWAS Regional Hackathon serves as a vital platform for collaboration among young innovators from across the sub-region. Minister George encouraged participants to network and share insights, viewing the competition not just as a technical challenge but as a mission to strengthen collective regional resilience. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with other ECOWAS member states to develop robust cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that West Africa can navigate the digital age with confidence and self-reliance.