The Ghana Cybersecurity Industry Forum (GCIF) has warned the public to be cautious when responding to unsolicited messages and requests, as cybercriminals are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make phishing attacks more convincing. According to C.K. Bruce, Interim President of GCIF, criminals are becoming more creative with AI, producing well-crafted messages that appear legitimate, making it harder for individuals and institutions to identify fraudulent attempts.
The GCIF was established under Section 81 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), to bring cybersecurity practitioners together to discuss common interests and promote collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. The Forum brings together accredited cybersecurity professionals and stakeholders across sectors to support regulatory engagement, information and threat-intelligence sharing, professional development, industry representation, and incident-response coordination.
C.K. Bruce spoke at a news conference in Accra, outlining the Forum's mandate, membership structure, and programs aimed at strengthening cybersecurity collaboration and resilience in Ghana. He noted that public awareness had reduced the spread of basic phishing messages, but cybercriminals were adapting their methods, exploiting emerging technologies to improve their attacks.
The rapid evolution of cyber threats requires institutions and cybersecurity professionals to respond with equal urgency, particularly through information sharing, professional development, and coordinated incident response. Mr. Bruce identified a shortage of cybersecurity professionals as a major challenge and said the Forum would focus on developing a sustainable talent pipeline through student engagement, training, mentorship, internships, and career development.
To address this challenge, the GCIF plans to commemorate this year's Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October with student engagements, a virtual assets workshop, community roadshows, and the launch of CyberFest, a cybersecurity awareness initiative expected to become a major event in 2027. The Forum will also support stakeholders to comply with relevant regulations, including those governing virtual assets, to promote a safer digital environment for consumers.
The GCIF's broader objective is to strengthen cyber hygiene, improve collaboration across sectors, develop cybersecurity talent, and build greater public confidence in Ghana's digital systems. The Forum operates as an independent body, with its 11-member interim facilitator body appointed by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in accordance with the Act. Membership is open to CSA-accredited cybersecurity professionals, accredited organizations, students, and honorary members.
Currently, the GCIF membership portal has received 360 applications, of which 210 have been approved. Alhaji Sherrif Issah, Interim Vice President of GCIF, disclosed plans to intensify public education on regulations governing virtual assets to protect consumers from fraud, advising them to verify platforms offering virtual asset services to ensure they are accredited or licensed by the relevant regulator before investing.
Key points
- GCIF warns of AI-powered phishing attacks in Ghana
- Forum aims to develop a sustainable talent pipeline of cybersecurity professionals
- GCIF to intensify public education on virtual asset regulations
