The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in partnership with key public and private-sector stakeholders, has officially launched the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), with a strong call for increased collaboration to protect Ghana’s rapidly growing digital finance ecosystem.
The month-long campaign will run from October 1 to October 31, 2026, under the theme: “Securing Ghana’s Digital Finance Ecosystem: Building Trust Through Collaboration and Cyber Resilience.”
The launch, held at the CalBank head office auditorium in Accra, brought together regulators, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and other stakeholders committed to strengthening cybersecurity in Ghana, combating cyber-enabled fraud and improving public confidence in digital financial services.
Stakeholders at the event stressed that cybersecurity must no longer be treated simply as a regulatory compliance requirement. Instead, they said it should become a shared priority for corporate governance, businesses, financial institutions and national resilience.
Cybercrime and Online Fraud Risks Increase
Speaking at the launch, CSA Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti said the 2026 NCSAM theme reflects the growing cybersecurity risks associated with the rapid expansion of digital financial services.
According to Mr. Agbeti, data from the Bank of Ghana’s 2025 Fraud Report showed that reported fraud cases involving banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions and payment service providers increased by 48 percent, rising from 16,733 cases in 2024 to 24,778 cases in 2025.
Electronic fraud incidents recorded within the payment service provider sector also increased by 54 percent.
The Cyber Security Authority further recorded 3,876 cybersecurity incidents between January and July 2026, with online fraud accounting for approximately 47 percent of the reported incidents.
Mr. Agbeti warned financial institutions and businesses against treating cybersecurity as an issue that should only be addressed after an attack occurs.
He urged banks, fintech companies, payment service providers, insurance companies and merchants to obtain cybersecurity services exclusively from providers that are licensed or accredited by the CSA, in accordance with Ghana’s cybersecurity laws and regulations.
He further cautioned that the Authority would take appropriate regulatory action against institutions or service providers that fail to comply with cybersecurity obligations and consequently expose members of the public to risks.
Ghana Police Intensifies Fight Against Cybercrime
Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, highlighted recent law-enforcement operations aimed at tackling cybercrime and online fraud in Ghana.
She disclosed that a joint operation involving the CID and the Cyber Security Authority in the Tema area resulted in 39 arrests.
She also mentioned an Interpol-coordinated operation that led to 68 arrests, the seizure of 835 devices, the identification of 108 victims and the tracing of losses exceeding US$450,000.
COP Donkor emphasised that although cybercrime can cross national borders, law enforcement agencies continue to strengthen their ability to identify and prosecute cybercriminals.
She encouraged individuals and organisations to report cybercrime incidents promptly, preserve digital evidence and support international cooperation in the fight against cyber-related criminal activities.
Banks Call for Stronger Cybersecurity Collaboration
Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) Chief Executive Officer John Awuah said banks remain frontline partners in the fight against financial fraud and cybercrime.
He stressed the importance of customer trust, intelligence-sharing and coordinated action among banks, the Bank of Ghana, the police service and the Cyber Security Authority.
According to Mr. Awuah, financial institutions regularly share information about emerging fraud techniques and cybersecurity incidents to help strengthen Ghana’s overall digital finance security.
He also highlighted the shared responsibility between financial institutions and customers, noting that even strong cybersecurity systems can be compromised when customers disclose confidential security information.
He urged consumers to become more knowledgeable about online banking security, digital payment safety and cyber fraud prevention.
CalBank Calls for Secure Digital Innovation
Chief Risk Officer of CalBank PLC, Mr. Sadiq Atta, who delivered remarks on behalf of Managing Director Carl Selasi Asem, said the NCSAM campaign is particularly important as Ghana continues to experience increased digital adoption.
He noted that digital transformation creates significant opportunities for businesses and consumers but also increases exposure to cybersecurity threats.
Mr. Atta called for innovation that prioritises security, cyber resilience and public trust, rather than slowing down technological development.
He also appealed for closer cooperation among regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, technology companies, academic institutions, the media and the general public.
According to him, no single organisation can secure Ghana’s growing digital ecosystem without collaboration.
Five Strategic Pillars for NCSAM 2026
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Deputy Minister Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu outlined five strategic areas that will guide the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
They are:
- Securing Ghana’s digital finance ecosystem
- Cybercrime prevention and response
- Cyber resilience and critical infrastructure protection
- Cyber hygiene and digital safety
- Capacity building, research and multi-stakeholder collaboration
The Deputy Minister said the campaign is designed to strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s expanding digital economy.
He stressed the need to create a digital environment where citizens can make electronic payments securely, businesses can adopt innovative technologies with confidence and investors can trust the resilience of Ghana’s digital infrastructure.
What Is the Cyber Security Authority?
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is Ghana’s national cybersecurity regulator established under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). The Authority became operational on October 1, 2021.
Its responsibilities include regulating cybersecurity activities, preventing and responding to cybersecurity threats, protecting Critical Information Infrastructure and promoting a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.
The CSA works with government institutions, private businesses, law enforcement agencies, industry players, academic institutions and international partners to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, cybercrime prevention and national cyber resilience.
The Authority is also responsible for licensing cybersecurity service providers, accrediting cybersecurity establishments and professionals, overseeing cybersecurity requirements for Critical Information Infrastructure and coordinating national cybersecurity incident response through CERT-GH.
Through initiatives such as the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the CSA continues to promote public education, responsible digital behaviour and safer use of online services.
How to Report Cybersecurity Incidents in Ghana
Members of the public who experience online fraud, cybercrime, hacking, digital payment fraud or other cybersecurity incidents are encouraged to report them to the Cyber Security Authority and seek appropriate cybersecurity advice.
The CSA can be contacted on 292 for cybersecurity incident reporting and assistance.
The 2026 NCSAM campaign is expected to increase awareness about online safety, digital banking security, cyber fraud prevention, cybersecurity best practices and responsible use of digital financial services as Ghana works towards building a more secure and trusted digital economy.
Source: newsthemegh.com