Ghana Launches Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025 to Tackle Online Threats

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations  has launched the 2025 edition of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), with a renewed call for collective responsibility in ensuring a safer and more accountable digital environment. The launch took place at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Auditorium, led by Minister Samuel Nartey George.

This year’s campaign, themed “Building a Safe, Informed, and Accountable Digital Space,” focuses on tackling misinformation, disinformation, and deepfake manipulation, while urging both citizens and institutions to adopt stronger cyber hygiene practices. The initiative comes as Ghana’s digital adoption continues to grow, with 24.3 million citizens online and nearly eight million active social media identities, placing the country 15th globally in social media penetration.

Despite these gains, cybercrime remains a significant threat. According to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Ghana recorded financial losses of GHS 23.3 million in 2024, with an additional GHS 14.9 million lost in the first half of 2025 through fraud, blackmail, and unauthorized access. Reported incidents rose from 1,317 cases in the first half of 2024 to 2,008 during the same period in 2025. Online fraud accounted for 36% of cases, followed by cyberbullying at 25%, online blackmail at 14%, unauthorized access at 12%, and data disclosure at 9%.

The Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to amend the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) to strengthen regulatory oversight and balance innovation with safety. He also commended law enforcement agencies for recent crackdowns, including the arrest of 39 suspects in Tema and 65 others earlier this year linked to cyber fraud schemes.

Minister George stressed the role of the media in raising awareness on online exploitation, fraud, and cyberbullying, while CSA Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti underlined the growing exposure of citizens to cyber risks.

Academia was also recognised as a key partner in the fight against cybercrime. Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Ghana, shared her personal experience of being targeted by disinformation and underscored the need for research, capacity building, and innovation to strengthen national cybersecurity.

The 2025 campaign reinforces Ghana’s drive to safeguard its digital transformation, protect citizens’ rights, and foster trust in the digital space as the country embraces new technologies across sectors.