Cybersecurity authorities have raised the alarm over the growing incidence of cybercrime in Ghana, following reported financial losses exceeding GH¢209 million between January and September 2026. The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr. Divine Selase Agbeti, has called for increased public awareness, community vigilance and collective efforts to protect individuals and institutions against online fraud and other cyber-related threats.
He made the call at the 2026 Volta Regional Cyber Security Conference in Ho, organised by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in partnership with the Cyber Security Authority, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the Genius IT Foundation.
The conference, held as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, brought together security agencies, institutional heads, cybersecurity professionals, students, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening digital safety. Addressing participants, Dr. Agbeti revealed that the Cyber Security Authority recorded 4,604 cybersecurity incidents in 2025, resulting in reported financial losses of more than GH¢22.5 million.
He said the situation had deteriorated in 2026, with 4,938 incidents recorded between January and September alone, leading to estimated financial losses of over GH¢209 million. The CSA Director-General cautioned, however, that the figures reflected only incidents reported to the Authority, indicating that the actual extent of cybercrime in the country could be considerably higher.
He identified online fraud, cyberbullying, sextortion and other forms of digital abuse as major emerging concerns, urging Ghanaians to incorporate cybersecurity awareness into their everyday activities. Dr. Agbeti also expressed concern about suspected criminal networks operating in parts of the Volta Region. He explained that some individuals suspected of cybercrime had moved from Accra to Ho in an apparent attempt to avoid law enforcement agencies.
He therefore urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities, particularly at properties where large numbers of young people appear to operate computers and internet equipment late into the night under questionable circumstances. The Director-General further encouraged landlords to conduct proper checks before renting out their properties and asked the public to report suspected cybercrime to the Cyber Security Authority through its toll-free short code, 292.
On digital financial security, Dr. Agbeti warned the public against fraudulent investment schemes, password theft, compromised email accounts and attempts by criminals to obtain confidential financial information. He emphasised that cybersecurity was a collective responsibility that required the active participation of individuals, educational institutions, businesses and government agencies.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Professor Lydia Aziato, also highlighted the need to protect digital systems and personal information as institutions increasingly rely on technology for their operations. She explained that UHAS uses digital platforms for teaching, examinations, administration and collaboration with international academic partners, making cybersecurity vital to safeguarding institutional data and maintaining confidentiality.
Professor Aziato also disclosed that the university was working to broaden access to digital skills training under the One Million Coders Programme, with plans to extend the opportunities to students, staff and residents of surrounding communities. She said training in artificial intelligence, data science, software development, cybersecurity and cloud computing would equip participants with relevant skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, called on public servants and institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity practices to protect government information and public resources. He urged workers to create strong passwords, verify suspicious messages and payment requests, protect confidential information and promptly report suspected cyber incidents.
Mr. Gunu stressed that Ghana’s digital transformation agenda must be supported by effective security measures to protect citizens and maintain public confidence in digital financial services. He also underscored the importance of collaboration among institutions, accountability and continuous public education in creating a secure and resilient digital environment.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Genius IT Foundation, Desmond Kitsi, said the foundation launched its cybersecurity awareness initiative in 2022 to promote safer digital practices among communities. He noted that the campaign had expanded over the years, reaching approximately 1,600 young people in the previous year, including about 393 participants who attended an awareness event in person.
Mr. Kitsi said the foundation sought to make cybersecurity a daily practice rather than something people considered only after an incident had occurred. He encouraged the public to preserve evidence of cybercrime, report incidents promptly and use the appropriate channels to seek assistance.
He added that while digital technology continued to improve access to information and financial services, users needed to understand the risks associated with irresponsible online behaviour. The conference was held under the national theme, “Securing Ghana’s Digital Finance Ecosystem: Building Trust Through Collaboration and Cyber Resilience.”
Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained at the event and share it with their families, workplaces, educational institutions and communities. Organisers expressed confidence that sustained public education, timely reporting and stronger cooperation among security agencies, educational institutions and local communities would be essential to curbing cybercrime and building a safer digital environment in the Volta Region and across Ghana.
