By: Ruth Serwaa Asare
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), has launched the 2025 edition of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) with a strong appeal for collective responsibility in safeguarding Ghana’s digital space.
Speaking at the media launch held at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Auditorium, the Minister emphasized that as more Ghanaians turn to digital platforms for business, education, and social interaction, there must be a parallel commitment to cyber hygiene and institutional accountability.
This year’s campaign is themed “Building a Safe, Informed, and Accountable Digital Space,” with a focus on combating misinformation, disinformation, and deepfake manipulation, while promoting responsible use of digital platforms by both citizens and institutions.
Citing the DataReportal Digital Report 2025, Hon. Nartey George revealed that 24.3 million Ghanaians representing 70% internet penetration are now online, with 7.95 million active social media users. Ghana currently ranks 15th globally in social media adoption. He cautioned, however, that the same connectivity driving innovation also creates opportunities for cybercriminals.
The Minister disclosed that Ghana recorded cybercrime-related financial losses of GHS 23.3 million in 2024, with a further GHS 14.9 million lost in just the first half of 2025, mainly through online fraud, blackmail, and unauthorized access. To address these threats, he announced that the Ministry is working to amend the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), to strengthen regulations that balance innovation with user safety.
Commending the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) for their joint operations, Hon. George highlighted recent crackdowns, including the arrest of 39 suspects in Tema last month and 65 others between May and July 2025, many of whom were involved in sophisticated cyber fraud schemes. “Let me sound a warning to those exploiting foreign nationals to perpetrate cyber fraud: we are on your trail, and we will bring you to justice,” he warned.
The Minister also underscored the role of the media in building a safer digital ecosystem, urging journalists to use their platforms to raise awareness about cyberbullying, fraud, and online exploitation.
Adding to the call, the Director-General of the CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, revealed that reported cyber incidents increased sharply—from 1,317 in the first half of 2024 to 2,008 during the same period this year. Online fraud alone accounted for 36% of cases, followed by cyberbullying (25%), online blackmail (14%), unauthorized access (12%), and information disclosure (9%).
He further noted that financial losses have risen 17% year-on-year, reaching GHS 14.9 million in the first half of 2025, with fraud and impersonation accounting for more than 94% of these losses.
Delivering a keynote contribution, the Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, Ing. Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, stressed the critical role of academia in Ghana’s cybersecurity agenda. She noted that while digital transformation—through mobile payments, telemedicine, online education, and e-governance—has fueled innovation and economic growth, cyberspace itself “is not inherently safe.”
Sharing her personal experience as a target of online disinformation—where she was falsely reported dead on social media just days ago—Prof. Kaufmann warned of the dangers of manipulated digital content in undermining trust and disrupting society. She outlined three priority areas where academia continues to support Ghana’s cybersecurity agenda: Research, Capacity Building, and Innovation.
The 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month will feature nationwide engagements aimed at promoting safe online practices, strengthening institutional responsibility, and enhancing public resilience against cyber threats.
