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The 2025 Break the Code: Capture the Flag (BrCTF) competition held in Accra as part of NCSAM 2025 was aimed at strengthening the nation's cybersecurity through ethical hacking skills among youth.

It gathered government officials, members from academia, and other industry representatives to highlight the importance of fostering a safer digital environment. The Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak; the acting Deputy Director-General in charge of Technical Operations at the CSA, Mr Stephen Cudjoe-Seshie, were among the dignitaries that graced the event.

BrCTF, now in its third edition (the Osagyefo edition), is an annual cybersecurity competition designed to test and enhance Ghana’s national readiness against cyber threats. Programme Lead, Mr Gervin Appiah emphasised the competition's focus on creating a culture of ethical hacking to build a safer, more informed digital space, with theTechnical Lead,Mr Saeed Bala highlighing its role in training young professionals.

Mr. Stephen Seshie from the CSA stressed the critical role of licensed ethical hackers in protecting the country’s digital infrastructure and called on young cybersecurity experts to obtain accreditation from the CSA to uphold high standards and foster trust across sectors.

Ms. Brenda Gyimah, a representative from Dynamic Data Solutions Ghana, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting BrCTF, especially in confronting emerging cybersecurity challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The Ministry of Education announced plans to integrate cybersecurity and coding into the national curriculum, as Dr Apaak encouraged participants to excel, citing opportunities such as internships, scholarships, and jobs for winners. He also warned about the dangers of online scams and the need for increased digital vigilance.

A panel discussion on "strengthening digital sovereignty" brought together experts from various sectors who advocated for comprehensive cybersecurity policies across industries, active youth participation in policy formation, and a collective approach to national digital security. They observed the critical role citizens played in maintaining cybersecurity hygiene and promptly reporting cyber incidents.

Participants faced rigorous challenges including Boot2Root, Red vs Blue phases, and mobile forensics, designed to test a broad range of hacking skills. The competition also featured interactive and physical bonus challenges to foster team spirit and resilience.

Team Rebirth emerged as the champions with 3,660 points, winning Offensive Security Certified Professional course vouchers. Team Kruskal99 was the first runner-up, also receiving badges for discipline and penetration testing certification vouchers. Team Uns33n took second runner-up position. Individual awards included Most Valuable Player (MVP) for both male and female participants.

Over 150 cybersecurity enthusiasts took part in BrCTF 2025, marking a significant step in building Ghana’s cyber workforce and community. The event successfully combined competition, skill-building, and networking to fortify the nation’s digital defences.