Cybercrime costs Ghana GH¢209.7m between January and September 2026

Ghana recorded an estimated GH¢209.7 million in financial losses linked to reported cybersecurity incidents between January and September 2026, the Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti, has disclosed.

The Authority recorded 4,938 incidents during the nine-month period, exceeding the 4,604 cases reported in 2025, which resulted in financial losses of more than GH¢22.5 million.

Dr Agbeti described the figures as concerning and called on individuals, businesses and public institutions to improve their online security measures to guard against fraud and other cyber threats.

He made the remarks at the fifth annual Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference in Ho, where he noted that the reported cases did not reflect the full extent of cybercrime in the country.

According to him, some victims failed to report incidents because they feared embarrassment, public criticism or other consequences. He urged victims of online fraud, blackmail, cyberbullying and extortion to report such cases to the appropriate authorities to support investigations and prevent further abuse.

Dr Agbeti identified human error and social engineering as major contributors to cybersecurity incidents, stressing the importance of public education and responsible internet use.

As part of efforts to improve the response to cybercrime, he announced plans by the CSA to establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026. The office is expected to support law enforcement agencies and strengthen efforts to tackle cyber-related offences in the area.

He said the government and the Authority remained committed to preventing Ghana from becoming a safe haven for cybercriminals, pointing to arrests and prosecutions pursued since 2025, including operations in the Volta Region.

The CSA Director-General urged residents not to allow their communities to become hideouts for cybercriminals. He encouraged them to report suspicious activities, including unusual accommodation arrangements and unexplained displays of wealth.

He also advised landlords to make reasonable enquiries before renting out their properties and asked the public to report suspected cybercrime through the Authority’s toll-free short code, 292, which he said was available 24 hours a day.

On digital financial services, Dr Agbeti cautioned users of mobile money platforms, internet banking and digital wallets to be wary of suspicious investment schemes, promises of unrealistic returns and requests to send money to unfamiliar accounts.

He further urged the public to safeguard passwords and other sensitive information and to verify payment requests before approving transactions.