Samuel Nartey George, minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Inovations has called on businesses to elevate cybersecurity to the highest levels of corporate decision-making, warning that rising digital threats now pose material risks to revenue, operations and national security.
Speaking at the 2026 Chief Information Security Officer Summit in Accra, George said cybersecurity is no longer a technical issue but a “boardroom-level business imperative” as the country deepens its digital transformation across government services, finance and cloud-based systems.
“Cybersecurity now impacts revenue, operations, reputation, customer trust, and national security,” he said Wednesday. “It is a boardroom-level business imperative.”
The remarks come as global cybercrime costs are projected to rise sharply. Citing industry estimates, George said cybercrime losses are expected to grow 15% annually and reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, up from $3 trillion a decade earlier. The financial sector remains among the hardest hit, accounting for about 20% of reported incidents globally over the past two decades, with losses exceeding $12 billion.
Ghana, he said, faces similar vulnerabilities as digital adoption accelerates. The government is responding with a series of investments under its Reset Ghana agenda, aimed at building a secure and inclusive digital economy anchored on innovation and national sovereignty.
A flagship “One Million Coders Programme,” scheduled for rollout in May, will see to the training of one million Ghanaians in coding and digital skills. A pilot phase involving 859 participants recorded 52% female participation, according to the minister. Authorities are also equipping 130 learning centres across all 16 regions to support the initiative. The program is expected to bolster the country’s cybersecurity workforce alongside broader digital capabilities.
In parallel, the government is advancing a $3 billion public-private Digital Jobs Initiative to expand technology-driven employment. The plan includes the development of regional digital centres for outsourcing services and the establishment of zonal ICT parks focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital entrepreneurship. Projects include the redevelopment of the Dawa ICT Park into what officials describe as a global-standard hub.
A separate $50 million FinTech Growth Fund will support local startups and deepen Ghana’s digital finance ecosystem. George linked the push to the government’s 24-hour economy strategy, noting that continuous operations will require resilient infrastructure and round-the-clock cybersecurity monitoring.
“A 24-hour economy requires round-the-clock secure systems, resilient infrastructure, and continuous monitoring,” he said.
Ghana has in recent years expanded its cybersecurity regulatory framework, with authorities working alongside industry stakeholders to improve governance and resilience. The minister urged stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, increased investment in talent development, and greater information sharing across industries.
“As Ghana advances its digital transformation agenda, cybersecurity must remain foundational to our progress,” he said.
The summit, hosted by Sapient Envision, a subsidiary of Innovare Group, brought together cybersecurity executives, regulators and industry leaders to discuss aligning cyber risk with business strategy.
