PRESIDENT MAHAMA LEADS LAUNCH OF NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN ACCRA

President John Dramani Mahama formally inaugurated Ghana’s 2025 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month today in Accra, underscoring the government’s determination to safeguard the country’s digital space and empower citizens to use technology more securely.

Speaking at the launch, President Mahama warned that cyberspace offers opportunities for innovation and growth, but also fertile ground for fraud, cyberbullying, unauthorised access, and disinformation. He affirmed that his administration would take active decisions against perpetrators.

“Those who exploit foreign nationals or any Ghanaian through cyber fraud should know: we are on your trail, and you will be brought to justice,” he stated.

He also emphasized that raising awareness and building digital resilience must be a collective effort: everyone from individuals and families to institutions and civil society has a role to play.

At the event, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to updating the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), to strengthen legal frameworks and institutional accountability in the face of evolving online threats.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Divine Selase Agbeti, revealed that in the first half of 2025, Ghana recorded 2,008 cyber incidents, up from 1,317 during the same period in 2024. He noted that online fraud now accounts for 36 % of reported incidents, followed by cyberbullying (25 %), online blackmail (14 %), unauthorized access (12 %), and information disclosure (9 %).

Financial losses from cybercrime continue to mount: the government reported losses of GHS 23.3 million in 2024, with an additional GHS 14.9 million lost in the first half of 2025.

To mark the month, nationwide programmes will roll out, including public education campaigns, institutional training, and stakeholder engagements, to strengthen cyber hygiene, fight misinformation, and steer Ghana toward a safer, more trustworthy digital environment.