Ghana loses GH¢209.7m to cybercrime in nine months

The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selase Agbeti, has disclosed that Ghana lost an estimated GH¢209.7 million to cybercrime in the first nine months of 2026.

The amount represents a sharp increase from the more than GH¢22.5 million, lost to cybercrime in 2025, when the Authority recorded 4,604 incidents.

According to a report by dailyguidenetwork.com on October 27, 2026, Dr Agbeti disclosed the figures at the Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference, held under the theme, “Awareness Delayed is Loss Multiplied.”

He cautioned that the figures represented only cases reported to the Authority, noting that many victims of online fraud, blackmail, sextortion and cyberbullying remained silent because of fear, embarrassment and concerns about public ridicule.

Dr Agbeti identified human error and social engineering as major factors contributing to cybercrime, urging individuals and institutions to remain vigilant and adopt responsible digital practices.

He stressed that cyber security awareness must become part of everyday life as more Ghanaians rely on digital platforms for financial transactions, communication and other services.

As part of efforts to strengthen the fight against cybercrime, he announced that the CSA would establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026 to improve collaboration with law enforcement agencies and enhance responses to reported cases.

He added that specialised enforcement mechanisms had been established to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of cybercrime suspects, with some individuals, including persons operating from parts of the Volta Region, already arrested and prosecuted.

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Dr Agbeti warned residents against allowing their communities to become safe havens for cybercriminals, explaining that some criminal syndicates relocated to other areas to evade detection.

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

Dr Agbeti also encouraged residents to embrace the principle, “If you see something, say something,” and report suspected cybercrime incidents to the Authority through its short code, 292, which he said was available 24 hours a day.

He further cautioned mobile money users, internet banking customers and digital wallet operators against fraud, advising them to verify payment requests, avoid suspicious links and never disclose their passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs) or one-time passwords to unauthorised persons.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended the CSA for intensifying public education on cyber security, noting that 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 associated risks.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Lydia Aziato, also underscored the importance of cyber security to the university, given its reliance on digital platforms for teaching, administration, examinations and engagements with international partners.

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

The Executive Director of Genius IT Foundation, Desmond Kitsi, called for sustained public education on online safety and stronger collaboration among institutions and communities to combat cybercrime.

Dr Agbeti urged participants to take personal responsibility for their digital security, prioritise cyber security in their institutions and share safety information with family members, friends and neighbours, particularly those with limited technological knowledge.

He stressed that Ghana’s digital future depended on collective responsibility, adding that citizens must be able to access online services and conduct digital transactions confidently and without fear of cyberattacks.

MRA/VPO

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