"Ghana faces escalating cyber threats as digital expansion grows" - CSA Boss

Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, Acting Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), has revealed a sharp spike in cyberattacks and digital crimes affecting individuals, businesses, and government agencies across the country.

He made these remarks at the day two (2) of the National Information Technology Agency’s (NITA) 2025 ICT Week celebration held at the Accra International Conference Centre.

According to Mr. Agbeti, the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) recorded 7,976 cybersecurity-related contacts in just the first half of 2025, a significant jump from the same period in 2024.

Of these, 2,008 were confirmed as actual incidents—a staggering 52% year-on-year increase.

"The data isn’t just numbers—it reflects the rising digital harm facing ordinary Ghanaians," he said.

“From online fraud to cyberbullying, blackmail, and unauthorized access, the threats are becoming more sophisticated and pervasive.”

Key Stats from Jan–Jun 2025:

He noted that online fraud made up 36% of incidents, including investment scams, fake online shops, and romance fraud.

He revealed that cyberbullying accounted for 25%, followed by blackmail (14%), unauthorized access (12%), and data leaks (9%).

Total financial losses from cybercrime rose to GHS 14.9 million—a 17% increase from GHS 12.8 million in 2024.

In response, the CSA partnered with telecom operators to block 1,380 fraudulent mobile numbers and took down 165 scam-related websites.

Additionally, 53 impersonation accounts were removed from social media platforms, including AI-generated videos using images of high-ranking officials like the President.

The CSA also issued 15 security advisories—11 for the general public and 4 technical alerts—to bolster awareness and mitigate future risks.

Mr. Agbeti emphasized vulnerabilities in the public sector, citing NITA CERT’s findings that over half (51%) of 504 monitored government websites lacked valid SSL certificates.

Several others had outdated systems or had been hijacked and redirected to gambling and adult content platforms.

Even more alarming, the CSA discovered the login credentials of 35 institutions—including ministries, banks, and universities—being traded on the dark web.

“These exposures pose national security risks,” Agbeti warned, calling for urgent reforms in digital hygiene practices.

The CSA Chief proposed five critical interventions:

1. Enforce mandatory cybersecurity standards across government and critical infrastructure.

2. Mainstream cyber hygiene into education and public campaigns.

3. Establish a national cybersecurity fund to support ongoing efforts.

4. Develop policies around emerging tech threats like AI and deepfakes.

5. Strengthen partnerships among public agencies, private sector players, and the public.

“In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is not optional,” Agbeti stated.

"It must be a shared responsibility across every layer of society.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith