Sam George: Ghana lost GHC23.3m to cybercrime in 2024, GHC14.9m in first half of 2025

The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has raised alarm over Ghana’s mounting exposure to cyber threats, warning that the losses are taking a toll on businesses, state institutions, and ordinary citizens alike.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) in Accra on Wednesday (3 September), the minister revealed that the country lost GH¢23.3 million to cybercrime in 2024, with an additional GH¢14.9 million lost in the first half of 2025 alone.

He further disclosed that credentials from 35 organisations—including ministries, banks, hospitals and universities—had surfaced on the dark web, exposing Ghana to potential national-level breaches.

“Safety in cyberspace must be treated with the same urgency as safety in our physical communities. Citizens deserve protection from fraud, scams, abuse and blackmail, all of which violate fundamental human rights such as privacy, dignity and security,” George said.

The minister announced that government is reviewing the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), to keep pace with emerging threats, and commended recent joint operations by the police and the Cybersecurity Authority that disrupted fraud syndicates. He urged citizens to report scams, avoid misinformation, and protect their digital identities.

Rising threats

The acting Director-General of the Cybersecurity Authority, Divine Selasi Agbeti, said reported cyber incidents increased from 1,317 in 2024 to 2,008 in just the first half of 2025. He added that financial losses had surged to GHC14.94 million, largely from fraud and impersonation.

“This year we will engage children, businesses, government and citizens to prioritise online safety and protect digital rights,” Agbeti noted. “The Awareness Month is expected to increase national awareness of the implications of cyber threats for democratic governance, national security, and individual well-being.”

Law enforcement response

The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, stressed law enforcement’s dual role of prosecuting cyber criminals and protecting citizens.

She highlighted Artificial Intelligence-driven policing tools and the AMBA Alert Ghana initiative with META as key steps forward, but called for stronger investment, private sector reporting, academic research and citizen vigilance.

Role of private sector and academia

The CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, said cybersecurity remains central to investor confidence and economic growth. He noted that global cybercrime losses are projected at $10.5 trillion, while Africa has lost $3 billion since 2019.

“Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue—it is an economic imperative,” he said, urging stronger investment and partnerships to safeguard Ghana’s digital economy.

The Dean of the University of Ghana’s School of Engineering Sciences, Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, emphasised academia’s role in producing ethical, skilled professionals and fostering digital citizenship.

She called for collaboration among government, industry, civil society and universities to strengthen cybersecurity research and innovation, stressing that “responsible technology adoption is essential to securing the country’s digital future.”