Cyber incidents cost Ghana GH¢209.7m in nine months, over nine times 2025 losses – CSA

In the first nine months of the year, reported cyber incidents in Ghana cost the country more than GH¢209.7 million, a figure nine times higher than the losses recorded for all of 2025. Divine Selase Agbeti, Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), reported 4,938 incidents during this period, surpassing the total incidents recorded in the entire previous year, which amounted to 4,604 and resulted in losses of over GH¢22.5 million.

During a Northern Regional cybersecurity awareness campaign in Tamale, Agbeti announced the establishment of a zonal office in the region, which will handle awareness, incident reporting, and response. Similar plans are in place for a Volta Region office, with the aim of opening before the end of 2026 to bolster law enforcement in the area.

Agbeti identified human error and social engineering as the primary causes behind 60 to 95 per cent of incidents, with online fraud comprising 48 per cent of reported cases from January to September, matching the percentage from 2025. Online blackmail rose to 20 per cent of cases, up from 17 per cent last year, while cyberbullying more than doubled its share, from nine per cent to 19 per cent.

The CSA did not provide a breakdown of the GH¢209.7 million in damages by incident type, stating that the figures likely underestimate the actual problem. CSA officials also emphasized that many victims remain silent due to embarrassment or fear of ridicule.

Agbeti highlighted the steady growth in reported incidents, noting that the number of cases from January to July stood at 3,876, as reported during the National Cyber Security Awareness Month launch in Accra. In Ho, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, emphasized that the government and the authority were committed to preventing Ghana from becoming a haven for cybercriminals, citing recent arrests and prosecutions since 2025.

He specifically warned of threats such as fake job offers, mobile money scams, and online investment fraud, particularly targeting job seekers and those seeking financial improvement through fraudulent schemes promising work or returns in exchange for upfront payments.

Prof. Abukari Abdul Aziz Danaa, head of Tamale Technical University's Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, explained that fraudsters send fake promotional messages, posing as mobile money agents and displaying fake payment screenshots. He urged financial institutions to flag suspicious transactions and announced the university's initiation of undergraduate and master's degree programs in cybersecurity.

CSA's awareness officer, Mary Ama Bawa, emphasized the importance of recognizing both opportunities and threats on digital platforms, advising young people to avoid becoming either perpetrators or victims of cybercrime. The CSA advises seeking its guidance before engaging in any online transaction and recommends precautions such as verifying the legitimacy of offers and seeking professional assistance when unsure.