Skilled Ghanaians key to nation’s digital sovereignty – Dr. Apaak 

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak has underscored the need to build a skilled and innovative generation capable of safeguarding Ghana’s digital sovereignty.

Speaking at the Break the Code: Capture the Flag (BRCTF) 2025 cybersecurity competition in Accra on Thursday, Dr. Apaak said Ghana’s independence in the digital age must rest on human capacity as much as technology.

“Our digital sovereignty depends not only on systems and technologies but, most importantly, on skilled people; people who understand, protect, and innovate within Ghana’s digital ecosystem,” he stated.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Education and partner agencies, is working to promote digital literacy and integrate cybersecurity into the national curriculum.

“The Ministry of Education recognizes cybersecurity as a key driver of digital transformation,” Dr. Apaak noted. “Integrating cybersecurity education strengthens digital resilience, safeguards national infrastructure, and empowers learners with the skills to navigate and secure the evolving digital landscape.”

According to him, government initiatives such as the *One Million Coders Programme* aim to equip young people with digital skills for emerging job markets.

“We are training one million young Ghanaians in coding, web and app development, software engineering, and other digital competencies for jobs in the digital ecosystem,” he explained.

Dr. Apaak stressed that such efforts were not only about producing cybersecurity professionals but also about “empowering a generation that can think critically, defend responsibly, and innovate confidently in Ghana’s digital space.”

He commended the Break the Code competition for providing “a practical platform where theory meets experience; where students don’t just learn cybersecurity but live it through collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.”

The Deputy Minister also praised the inclusion of certification, mentorship, and internship opportunities for outstanding participants, describing it as “the kind of linkage between education and employment that transforms skill into impact.”

Encouraging the youth to see themselves as national defenders in the digital era, he said, “You are Ghana’s first line of defence in the digital age; not because you stand at the borders, but because you live at the heart of our connected world.”