By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), Oct. 24, GNA – Ghana recorded an estimated GHS209.7 million in financial losses from reported cybersecurity incidents between January and September 2026, Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has disclosed.
He said the Authority recorded 4,938 cybersecurity incidents during the period, compared with 4,604 incidents involving reported financial losses of more than GHS22.5 million in 2025.
Dr Agbeti described the figures as a worrying development, urging individuals, businesses and public institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity practices and remain vigilant against online fraud and other digital threats.
He was speaking at the fifth annual Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference in Ho, organised by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, the CSA and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), in partnership with the Genius IT Foundation.
The conference formed part of activities marking the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month and brought together stakeholders to discuss online safety, digital financial security and collective efforts to combat cybercrime.
Dr Agbeti said the reported cases represented only part of the problem, as some victims remained reluctant to report incidents because of embarrassment, fear of public ridicule or other concerns.
He said victims of online fraud, blackmail, cyberbullying and extortion needed to be encouraged to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities to enable investigations and help prevent further victimisation.
The Director-General said human error and social engineering accounted for a significant proportion of cybersecurity incidents, making public education and responsible online behaviour essential in the fight against cybercrime.
He announced that the CSA intended to establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026 to support law enforcement agencies and strengthen the response to cybercrime in the area.
He said the Government and the Authority remained committed to ensuring that Ghana did not become a haven for cybercriminals, adding that arrests and prosecutions had been pursued since 2025, including operations in the Volta Region.
Dr Agbeti cautioned residents against allowing their communities to become hiding places for cybercriminals, urging them to report suspicious activities, including unusual accommodation arrangements and unexplained displays of wealth.
He advised landlords to make reasonable enquiries before renting their properties and encouraged community members to report suspected cybercrime through the CSA’s short code, 292, which he said was available around the clock.
On digital financial services, he cautioned users of mobile money, internet banking and digital wallets against suspicious investment offers, unrealistic returns and requests to transfer money to unfamiliar accounts.
He also advised the public to protect passwords and other sensitive information and to verify payment requests before authorising transactions.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, said technological advancement had transformed communication, public service delivery and financial transactions, but had also exposed individuals and institutions to cyber fraud, identity theft and unauthorised access to information.
He said cybersecurity was not the sole responsibility of information technology professionals, but a shared duty requiring the participation of every citizen and institution.
The Minister urged public servants and other workers to practice good cyber hygiene by using strong passwords, verifying suspicious messages and payment requests, protecting confidential information, updating their devices and promptly reporting suspected cyber incidents.
He said the growing use of digital financial services made it necessary for individuals and institutions to protect financial credentials, safeguard government information and establish effective procedures for verifying transactions and responding to security breaches.
Mr Gunu said the country’s digital transformation agenda must be matched by strong measures to protect information systems and public resources, adding that sustained collaboration was essential to building trust in digital services.
Prof Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the UHAS, said the university relied extensively on digital systems for teaching, examinations, administration and engagement with international academic partners, making cybersecurity a critical institutional priority.
She said the university was committed to protecting its systems, securing data and preserving confidentiality as more academic and administrative activities moved online.
Prof Aziato also highlighted opportunities for digital skills development through the government’s One Million Coders programme, saying the university intended to make training opportunities available to students, staff and interested members of the surrounding communities through designated centres.
Mr Desmond Kitsi, the Director of the Genius IT Foundation, said the initiative began in 2022 with the aim of making cybersecurity awareness a regular part of people’s lives rather than an activity limited to a particular month.
He said the Foundation had sensitised about 1,600 young people in the previous year, with approximately 393 participating in a gathering as part of the awareness campaign.
Mr Kitsi called for cybersecurity education to be extended beyond conference rooms and social media platforms to markets, schools and communities, particularly to reach traders, farmers and other vulnerable groups who increasingly depended on mobile phones and digital financial services.
He said the Foundation was advocating the establishment of cybersecurity awareness zones across all 16 regions, supported by community organisations and trained ambassadors who could educate people on basic online safety.
Mr Kitsi urged individuals to preserve evidence of cybercrime, report incidents promptly and use appropriate reporting channels to improve the chances of addressing cases effectively.
The conference attracted information technology professionals, students, security personnel and other stakeholders committed to improving cybersecurity awareness and strengthening digital resilience.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah