"Fight against cybercrime is not optional, it is essential for our survival” – CID Boss

The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, has issued a stern reminder that cybercrime is now a national security threat that demands urgent, collective action.

Speaking at the media launch of the 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) held at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Auditorium on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, COP Donkor stressed “The fight against cybercrime is not optional—it is essential for our survival as a modern nation.”

She explained that Ghana's increasing reliance on digital infrastructure for commerce, education, healthcare, and governance has made the country more vulnerable to cyber threats including online fraud, misinformation, and identity theft.

COP Donkor highlighted the evolving responsibilities of the Ghana Police Service in combating cybercrime.

She said the CID, through its Cybercrime Unit, has strengthened collaborations with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and other partners to detect and disrupt cybercriminal networks, build capacity among officers, and support public awareness campaigns.

She revealed that the Police Service has invested in cyber intelligence platforms powered by artificial intelligence, enabling investigators to analyze large volumes of digital evidence and identify suspects more effectively.

“These AI-powered systems are revolutionizing our ability to track online criminal networks and solve complex digital crimes,” she noted.

One of the CID’s most notable recent successes, according to COP Donkor, is the launch of the Amber Alert Ghana system in partnership with Meta.

The initiative leverages social media to push real-time alerts during missing children cases, turning every citizen into an active participant in the search effort.

“This is not just a technological solution. It’s a community policing strategy powered by digital innovation,” she said.

COP Donkor called for a whole-of-society approach to fighting cybercrime, stressing that government, private sector, academia, media, and ordinary citizens all have roles to play.

She issued a series of specific calls:

• To government: Continue investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, legal reforms, and police capacity.

• To businesses: Report cyber incidents promptly and strengthen internal defenses.

• To academia: Train cyber analysts, forensic investigators, and ethical hackers.

• To the media: Protect facts and resist misinformation.

• To citizens: Safeguard your digital identity and report suspicious activity.

“National resilience is not built by institutions alone but by the actions of every individual,” she emphasized.

COP Donkor pledged the Ghana Police Service’s ongoing support for the national cybersecurity agenda, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration with stakeholders both locally and globally.

“We are committed to protecting the digital well-being of our nation and ensuring that Ghana remains safe, secure, and ready for the future,” she said.

The 2025 edition of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month will feature public education campaigns, school outreach programmes, and strategic dialogues across all regions to promote digital safety, combat cybercrime, and build trust in Ghana’s digital transformation.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith