Ghana lost more than GH₵209.7 million to cybercrime in just nine months — a figure that should stop anyone in their tracks. That is the scale of the damage the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has now put on record for the period between January and September this year.
Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti, Director-General of the CSA, disclosed the figures at the Northern Regional Cybersecurity Awareness campaign held in Tamale on Tuesday. He said the authority recorded 4,938 cybersecurity incidents during that period, translating into financial losses that exceed last year's total by more than nine times.
To put that in context: in the same timeframe last year, 4,604 incidents resulted in losses of GH₵22.5 million. The number of incidents barely moved. The money lost? It exploded.
Human Error Is Driving the Crisis
Dr Agbeti was clear about where most of the blame lies. He said human error and social engineering account for between 60 and 95 percent of all cybersecurity incidents recorded in Ghana. That means the majority of these losses are not down to sophisticated hacking — they are down to people being manipulated or making avoidable mistakes online.
He warned users of mobile money platforms, internet banking services, and digital wallets to be on guard against fraudulent investment schemes, impersonation attempts, and criminals fishing for sensitive personal information. As more Ghanaians rely on digital financial services for everyday transactions, the attack surface for cybercriminals keeps growing.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility — individuals must protect their digital accounts, institutions must prioritise cybersecurity investments, and the public must share online safety information with family members and communities. — Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti, Director-General, CSA
He also urged the public to report suspected cybercrime to the CSA through its 24-hour short code, 292, and to seek guidance before proceeding with any online transaction they are uncertain about.
A New CSA Zonal Office Coming to Tamale
One concrete announcement came out of Tuesday's event: the CSA will establish a zonal office in Tamale to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, incident reporting, and response across Ghana's northern sector. Dr Agbeti said the office is designed to bring the authority's services closer to communities and improve collaboration with stakeholders in the region.
The Tamale campaign was part of this year's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual initiative the CSA runs to highlight emerging cyber threats and push for more responsible digital behaviour. Tuesday's event drew representatives from public institutions, NGOs, students, and members of the public.
Northern Region's Specific Vulnerabilities
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John — whose speech was read on his behalf — pointed to online investment fraud, mobile money scams, and fake employment offers as the most prevalent threats facing people in the region. He noted that job seekers and individuals trying to improve their financial circumstances are particularly at risk, often targeted by schemes that promise employment or financial returns in exchange for upfront payments or personal data.
It is a pattern familiar across West Africa, but the CSA's data suggests Ghana's exposure is deepening fast. The authority's message in Tamale was direct: treating online safety as someone else's problem is no longer an option, for individuals or institutions.