Ghana lost GHC 14.9 million to cybercrime in the first half of 2025, prompting government pledges to strengthen regulations and improve digital accountability as the country deepens its internet penetration.
Launching the 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month in Accra, Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George said the losses, driven mainly by online fraud, blackmail, and unauthorized access, underscore the urgency of balancing digital innovation with user safety.
“The same connectivity that drives innovation also provides an avenue for exploitation by cybercriminals,” he said, noting that Ghana recorded GHC 23.3 million in cybercrime-related financial losses in 2024.
According to Sam George, government is preparing amendments to the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) to tighten oversight. He also commended recent joint operations by the Criminal Investigations Department and Cyber Security Authority (CSA), which led to multiple arrests, including 39 suspects detained in Tema last month.
The CSA reported that cyber incidents surged from 1,317 cases in H1 2024 to 2,008 cases in H1 2025, with online fraud accounting for 36% of all cases, cyberbullying 25%, and online blackmail 14%. “Financial losses have risen 17% year-on-year, with fraud and impersonation responsible for more than 94% of these losses,” said CSA Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti.
Despite the risks, Ghana’s digital adoption continues to expand. According to DataReportal’s 2025 report, 24.3 million Ghanaians, 70% of the population, are online, with 7.95 million active on social media, ranking the country 15th globally in social media penetration.
Academics warned that the country’s digital gains must be matched with resilience. Ing. Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann of the University of Ghana said cyberspace “is not inherently safe,” adding that new risks, from disinformation to fraud, can undermine trust and weaken democratic institutions.
This year’s campaign, themed “Building a Safe, Informed, and Accountable Digital Space”, will focus on countering misinformation, deepfake manipulation, and cyber fraud while urging citizens and institutions to adopt safer practices.
