Ghana recorded an estimated GH¢209.7 million in financial losses from reported cybersecurity incidents between January and September 2026, a figure that dwarfs the GH¢22.5 million reported for the whole of 2025 and has prompted the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to call for heightened vigilance and greater willingness among victims to come forward .
Dr. Divine Selasi Agbeti, Director-General of the CSA, disclosed the figures at the fifth annual Cyber Secure Volta Regional Conference in Ho on Friday, October 23. The Authority recorded 4,938 cybersecurity incidents during the nine-month period, compared with 4,604 incidents for the entirety of 2025 . The conference, jointly organised by the CSA and the Volta Regional Security Council, was held under the theme “Awareness Delayed is Loss Multiplied” and drew about 200 participants, including security personnel, students, heads of department, and members of the public .
A Fraction of the True Cost
Dr. Agbeti described the surge in reported losses as a worrying development, but emphasised that the figures likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem. Many victims of online fraud, blackmail, cyberbullying, and extortion remain reluctant to report incidents due to embarrassment, fear of public ridicule, or other concerns, he said, urging the public to come forward to enable investigations and prevent further victimisation .
The data underscores a sharp escalation in the financial toll of cybercrime on individuals and businesses. Online fraud remained the leading reported incident, accounting for 48 per cent of cases between January and September 2026, while cyberbullying rose significantly from nine per cent of reported incidents in 2025 to 19 per cent in the same period. Online blackmail accounted for 20 per cent of reported incidents, up from 17 per cent the previous year .
Human Error and Social Engineering at the Core
The CSA Director-General attributed a significant proportion of cybersecurity incidents to human error and social engineering, making public education and responsible online behaviour essential in the fight against cybercrime . He cautioned users of mobile money, internet banking, and digital wallets against suspicious investment offers, unrealistic returns, and requests to transfer money to unfamiliar accounts. He also advised the public to protect passwords and other sensitive information and to verify payment requests before authorising transactions.
Volta Region to Get CSA Office
Dr. Agbeti announced that the CSA intends to establish an office in the Volta Region before the end of 2026 to support law enforcement agencies and strengthen the response to cybercrime in the area . He reaffirmed the Government and the Authority’s commitment to ensuring Ghana does not become a haven for cybercriminals, noting that arrests and prosecutions had been pursued since 2025, including operations in the Volta Region.
He cautioned residents against allowing their communities to become hiding places for cybercriminals, urging them to report suspicious activities, including unusual accommodation arrangements and unexplained displays of wealth. Landlords were advised to make reasonable enquiries before renting their properties, and community members were encouraged to report suspected cybercrime through the CSA’s short code, 292, which is available around the clock .
Broader Context of Rising Threats
The figures released in Ho are consistent with a broader trend of escalating cyber threats in Ghana. In March 2026, the CSA disclosed that it had received 23,363 public inquiries at its call centre in 2025, of which 4,604 were confirmed cyber incidents . The Bank of Ghana’s 2025 Fraud Report also revealed a 48 per cent rise in fraud cases across banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, and payment service providers, increasing from 16,733 in 2024 to 24,778 in 2025 .
The Authority has also flagged emerging threats including artificial intelligence-generated deepfake scams, brand impersonation, organised scam centres, and automated fraud schemes. Child-related online safety violations have been classified as critical, with data attributed to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children showing that 21,901 sexual images involving children and young people had been accessed and uploaded in Ghana .
As Ghana’s digital economy expands, the CSA’s message in Ho was clear: awareness and reporting are no longer optional. With losses already exceeding nine times the previous year’s total in just nine months, the cost of delayed action is mounting.
