Ghana loses GH¢209.7m to cyber incidents in nine months – CSA

Ghana recorded an estimated GH¢209.7 million in losses from 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 period. This compares with 4,604 incidents and reported losses of more than GH¢22.5 million in 2025.

Speaking at the fifth annual Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference in Ho, Dr Agbeti described the figures as worrying. He urged individuals, businesses and public institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity practices.

He cautioned that the reported cases did not capture the full scale of the problem. Some victims, he said, remained reluctant to report incidents because of embarrassment, fear of ridicule and other concerns.

Dr Agbeti encouraged victims of online fraud, blackmail, cyberbullying and extortion to report their experiences to the appropriate authorities. He explained that reporting would support investigations and help prevent further victimisation.

He said human error and social engineering accounted for a significant proportion of incidents, making public education and responsible online behaviour essential.

The CSA plans to establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026 to support law enforcement and strengthen the local response to cybercrime.

Dr Agbeti said the government and the Authority were committed to preventing Ghana from becoming a haven for cybercriminals. He noted that arrests and prosecutions had been pursued since 2025, including operations in the Volta Region.

He urged residents to report suspected criminal activity and cautioned against allowing their communities to become hiding places for cybercriminals.

Landlords were advised to make reasonable enquiries before renting out their properties. Members of the public can also report suspected cybercrime through the CSA’s short code, 292, which he said operates around the clock.

Turning to digital financial services, Dr Agbeti warned mobile money, internet banking and digital wallet users to be wary of suspicious investment offers and promises of unrealistic returns.

He also cautioned against transferring money to unfamiliar accounts and urged users to verify payment requests before authorising transactions.

He said protecting passwords and other sensitive information remained essential to reducing exposure to online fraud.