Ghana Makes Its Mark at the Inaugural International Cybersecurity Olympiad
- Ghana participated in the first-ever International Cybersecurity Olympiad held in Singapore from June 22 to 28, 2025
- Students from Ghana International School and Ghana Christian International High School ranked in the Top 100 globally
- The Ghanaian team competed in cryptography, digital forensics, and web exploitation, gaining global exposure and experience
Ghana made a bold statement on the global tech stage after a team of brilliant young students represented the country well and at the highest level.
Source: Instagram
The intelligent students represented the country at the first-ever International Cybersecurity Olympiad (ICO) held in Singapore from June 22 to June 28, 2025.
The event was hosted by the prestigious National University of Singapore (NUS). It brought together students from 28 countries, all competing in one of the world’s most critical and fast-changing fields: Cybersecurity.
Ghanaian students shine at International Cybersecurity Olympiad
The Ghanaian delegation was made up of students from Ghana International School (GIS) and Ghana Christian International High School (GCIHS).
The students who represented Ghana at ICO 2025 were:
- Ghana Christian International High School
- Adam Majdoub
- Christian Delassi Kumaga
- Samuel William Ashley
- Paul Manteaw Anakwa
- Ghana International School
- Nhyira Peter Awuah- Darko
- Kweku Begyina Sekyi Hughes
- Ewoenam Koku Agbe
- Ethan Nii-Tettey Ashong-Katai
They were led by Abel Ohene Acquaye, Executive Director of the Ghana Olympiad Academy, and Mr. Kwesi Osborne-Morson, a coach and teacher from GIS.
Source: Instagram
Over several intense days, the students were tested in challenging categories such as:
- Web Exploitation
- Cryptography
- Red Teaming
- Digital Forensics
One of the toughest moments came during Day 2's Capture the Flag (CTF) round, where participants had to decode and defend against complex security threats such as:
- Binary exploitation,
- Malware infiltration, and
- Network vulnerabilities.
“It was exhilarating… and exhausting,” one student from GIS admitted. “But we learned a lot and had fun too.”
Delegates made friends beyond walls of Ghana
The Olympiad wasn’t just about hacking and defence, it was also about global connection.
Ghana’s team mingled with peers from countries including Bangladesh, China, Sweden, Canada, and South Korea, exchanging ideas and experiences that went beyond the technical challenges.
During an Excursion Day, the students explored iconic Singaporean sites such as the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, and the famous Merlion Park, deepening their appreciation for culture, innovation, and global unity.
Top 100 global finish: Ghana’s quiet triumph
Although Ghana did not return home with medals, the experience was still a proud moment. Five Ghanaian students earned spots in the Top 100 globally, a remarkable feat for a team competing at this level for the very first time:
- Ethan Nii-Tettey Ashong-Katai – GIS
- Christian Delassi Kumaga –GCIHSS
- Samuel William Ashley – GCIHS
- Ewoenam Koku Agbe – GIS
- Paul Manteaw Anakwa – GCIHS
These students showcased a mix of technical brilliance, discipline, and mental resilience that impressed judges and peers alike.
For Ghana, participation in such a groundbreaking initiative marks a milestone in national STEM development.
In a comment to YEN.com.gh, Abel Ohene Aquaye stated that the Ghana Olympiad Academy remains committed to identifying and nurturing young talent in technology and innovation.
"Though Ghana didn’t return home with medals this time, the value of this experience was undeniable. The real victory came in knowledge gained, confidence built, and the global exposure our students received. These students demonstrated not just technical ability, but discipline, resilience, and a hunger to grow, qualities we believe will take them far in future academic and professional pursuits.
We are especially proud to share that five Ghanaian students placed in the Top 100 globally, a remarkable feat considering it was their first time competing at this level," he told YEN.com.gh
Ghanaian wins Project Green competition
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that Godfred Owusu, a final-year student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) won the 2024 Project Green Competition. This made him the first Ghanaian to win the award.
Social media users who saw the post thronged the comment section to congratulate Godfred Owusu and wish him well.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
