By Ernest Nutsugah, GNA
Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – Conflict, peace and security experts have been urged to use social media responsibly and remain vigilant against potential cyberattacks.
Dr Eric Kafui Bansah, an officer of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), made the call in Accra on Tuesday at a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Forum and Induction Ceremony of the Association of Conflict, Peace and Security Experts in Africa (ACPSEA).
Speaking on the topic, “Understanding Cybersecurity and Online Peacebuilding,” he said individuals, including peace and security experts, must exercise caution in their online interactions and activities, as they could become targets of cybercriminals.
He said cybersecurity threats transcended national borders, with criminals and hostile actors engaging in illicit activities capable of undermining national security and economic stability.
“Every device we carry and every system we depend on is a potential entry point for someone with bad intentions… the more we digitalise, the more cybersecurity becomes a condition for success, not an option,” he said.
Dr Bansah said the Authority recorded 4,938 cybersecurity incidents between January and September 2026, with online fraud, including blackmail, recruitment scams, impersonation and cyberbullying, accounting for 48 per cent of reported cases.
He cautioned that individuals faced various cyber risks, including ransomware attacks, service disruptions and data theft, stressing that cybercrime affected not only individual victims but also the stability of communities.
He urged members of the Association to educate the public against spreading misinformation on digital platforms, warning that such content could inflame tensions and undermine public peace.
“Let us make people understand that it is not every group online they must join; they need to investigate the kind of groups before deciding to join.
“Let us not be interested in posting things that will bring confusion or seem to be siding with one particular group of people, things that will bring division or insult,” he said.
Mr Isaac Asare, President of ACPSEA, said discussions and training on cybersecurity were crucial, given the growing influence of digital technologies on peace and security.
He identified misinformation, disinformation, cyber-enabled harassment, digital manipulation and online hate speech as emerging challenges to social cohesion, democratic governance, institutional trust and peaceful coexistence.
“Our responsibility as professionals is to understand these emerging dynamics and develop the competencies necessary to respond appropriately, ethically and effectively,” he said.
The forum also featured a panel discussion on the use of digital platforms to promote peace, dialogue and social cohesion.
Mr Asare urged members to translate the knowledge acquired into practice and avoid spreading harmful narratives, promoting hostility or escalating conflicts through digital platforms.
He encouraged the 29 newly inducted members to uphold integrity, demonstrate professional competence and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the Association.
ACPSEA, launched in March 2026, seeks to provide a platform for networking, professional recognition, knowledge exchange, research, collaboration and practical interventions to promote peace and sustainable development.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Writer’s email: [email protected]