Ghana records 4,938 cybercrime incidents; GH¢209.7m losses in nine months — CSA

Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selase Agbeti

Ghana recorded 4,938 cyber security incidents resulting in estimated financial losses of GH¢209.7 million between January and September 2026, Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selase Agbeti, has disclosed.

The figure represents a significant increase from the more than GH¢22.5 million in losses recorded from 4,604 cyber security incidents reported in 2025.

Dr Agbeti disclosed this at the Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference, held under the theme, “Awareness Delayed is Loss Multiplied.”

He cautioned that the reported figures might not reflect the full scale of cybercrime in the country, as many victims of online fraud, blackmail, sextortion and cyberbullying often refrain from reporting incidents due to fear, embarrassment and concerns about public ridicule.

According to him, human error and social engineering remain major factors driving cybercrime, making public awareness and responsible digital behaviour essential as more Ghanaians rely on digital platforms for financial transactions, communication and other services.

Dr Agbeti said the CSA would establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026 to strengthen cooperation with law enforcement agencies and improve the handling of cybercrime cases.

He said specialised enforcement mechanisms had also been established to support the arrest and prosecution of suspected cybercriminals, with some suspects, including individuals operating from parts of the Volta Region, already arrested and prosecuted.

The CSA Director-General urged residents not to allow their communities to become safe havens for cybercriminals, noting that some criminal networks relocate to relatively peaceful areas to evade law enforcement.

He encouraged the public to report suspicious activities, particularly where individuals engage in questionable online operations without apparent legitimate sources of income.

“If you see something, say something,” he urged.

Dr Agbeti said suspected cybercrime incidents could be reported to the CSA through the short code 292, which he said was available 24 hours a day.

He also cautioned mobile money users, internet banking customers and digital wallet operators to verify payment requests, avoid suspicious links and refrain from disclosing passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs) and one-time passwords to unauthorised persons.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended the CSA for intensifying public education on cyber security, noting that digital technology had become central to banking, education, communication and public service delivery.

He said the benefits of digitalisation could only be fully realised if individuals and institutions took deliberate steps to understand and manage the risks associated with technology.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Lydia Aziato, said cyber security was particularly important to the university because of its dependence on digital platforms for teaching, administration, examinations and engagements with international partners.

She urged staff to use strong passwords, protect confidential information, regularly update their devices, verify suspicious messages and payment requests, and promptly report suspected cyber incidents.

The Executive Director of Genius IT Foundation, Desmond Kitsi, also called for sustained public education on online safety, stressing the need for continued collaboration between institutions and communities to combat cybercrime.

Dr Agbeti urged individuals and institutions to take personal responsibility for their digital security and make cyber security a priority.

He further encouraged participants to share cyber safety information with family members, friends and neighbours, particularly those with limited knowledge of technology.

He said Ghana's digital future depended on collective responsibility and that citizens should be able to use online services and conduct digital transactions confidently without fear of cyber attacks.