The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) of Ghana has marked its fifth anniversary with a call for stronger collaboration across the country's digital finance ecosystem. The authority's Director-General, Mr Divine Selase Agbeti, made the call at the official opening of the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month. He emphasized that protecting Ghana's digital economy requires a coordinated response among government, regulators, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. Mr Agbeti noted that Ghana's rapid digital transformation has created opportunities for economic growth, but also expanded the opportunities available to cybercriminals.
Mr Agbeti stressed that cybersecurity is a team sport and Ghana must play as one team. He called on financial institutions to share actionable threat intelligence, telecommunications companies to deepen cooperation with banks and fintechs, and regulators, technology companies, law enforcement agencies, and cybersecurity service providers to exchange information quickly enough to disrupt attacks. The authority's national Computer Emergency Response Team recorded 3,876 cybersecurity incidents between January and July 2026, with online fraud accounting for approximately 47 per cent of the reported incidents.
The impact of cybercrime extends beyond the immediate financial loss suffered by victims, with repeated incidents capable of undermining public confidence in digital services. Mr Agbeti noted that declining confidence in digital platforms could affect financial inclusion, electronic commerce, innovation, and the wider digital transformation agenda. He stressed that cyber risk must be treated as a business and national security issue rather than solely as a technology concern.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives of various government ministries, the Bank of Ghana, and the University of Ghana, alongside stakeholders from industry, academia, and civil society. The Head of Cyber and Information Security at the Bank of Ghana, Mr Daniel Sowah Klu, said the central bank had revised its Cyber and Information Security Directive and established a digital forensic laboratory to support investigations and prosecutions.
The Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Honourable Mohammed Adams Sukparu, announced plans for a digital fraud monitoring system to strengthen the detection, prevention, and response to fraudulent activities across digital platforms. The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Honourable Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening law enforcement capacity to trace digital evidence and pursue offenders across borders.
The University of Ghana pledged continued support through cybersecurity research, professional training, and the development of skilled cybersecurity professionals. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Honourable Abla Dzifa Gomashie, highlighted the potential impact of cyber fraud targeting visitors on Ghana's reputation and tourism sector. The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a commemorative digital plaque marking the authority's fifth anniversary.
As the authority enters its sixth year, Mr Agbeti called for the 2026 awareness month to serve as a catalyst for deeper and more practical collaboration. He urged citizens to take individual action to protect themselves from cybercrime, such as pausing before clicking links in messages or emails, verifying details before transferring money, and protecting passwords and one-time authentication codes. The authority reminded citizens that they can report cybersecurity incidents and cybercrime by calling or texting 292, or by email.
Key points
- The Cyber Security Authority recorded 3,876 cybersecurity incidents in Ghana between January and July 2026.
- The authority is calling for stronger collaboration across Ghana's digital finance ecosystem to combat cybercrime.
- The 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month aims to promote cybersecurity awareness and build trust through collaboration and cyber resilience.
