OLA Girls win 2023 National Cyber Security Challenge
By Selorm GBORBIDZI, Accra
Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Girls Senior High School has emerged as the winner of the 2023 National Cyber Security Challenge, a quiz competition organized by the National Cyber Security Authority among 50 selected Senior High Schools (SHSs) from various sectors.
The finale, held at the University of Ghana on Friday, saw four schools compete in the challenging quiz: Navrongo SHS (Northern Sector), Prempeh College (Middle Sector), Wesley Girls’ SHS (Southern Sector), and OLA Girls SHS (Eastern Sector).
OLA Girls SHS secured the top position with an impressive 45 points, followed closely by Wesley Girls and Prempeh College, both earning 38 points each. Navrongo Senior High secured the third position with 34 points.
As the champions, OLA Girls SHS was awarded a cash prize of GH₵7,000, a trophy, and certificates of participation. Wesley Girls’ SHS and Prempeh College received prizes of GH₵2,000 each along with certificates. Navrongo Senior High School, in the third position, was awarded GH₵1,000 and certificates.
The quiz covered topics such as Child Online Protection provisions in the Cybersecurity Act (Act 1038), 2020, digital footprint, social engineering, and open-source intelligence. It was part of the National Cyber Security Authority’s initiative to promote cyber safety and awareness among Senior High students.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Minister of Communications, emphasized the government’s commitment to combating cybercrime and ensuring a secure and resilient digital ecosystem. She highlighted the importance of collaboration in navigating the ever-changing cyber landscape effectively.
“The ongoing journey towards a more secure cyberspace underscores the importance of collaboration, emphasizing that cooperation is paramount for navigating the ever-changing cyber landscape effectively,” stated Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful.
The National Cyber Security Challenge serves as a platform to engage and educate students on cybersecurity issues while fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility in the digital space.
