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The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has reported that Ghana recorded 305 cases of online fraud between January and March 2025, resulting in financial losses totalling GH₵4.4 million. Jake France, head of Cybersecurity Technology Standards at the CSA, disclosed this in an interview with the media at the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) fourth Conference on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Emerging Technologies, held in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Accra. He attributed the surge in losses to a rise in sextortion, website defacement, blackmail, and mobile money (MoMo) fraud. Mr France noted that the Authority continues to engage the public on safe online practices to reduce the growing threat of cybercrime in the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant online and to report suspicious cyber activities to the appropriate authorities for prompt action. According to him, the Cyber Security Authority remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and ensuring a safer digital space for all users in Ghana. He added that the CSA has enhanced collaboration with telecommunication networks, the Ghana Police Service, and other law enforcement agencies to improve digital safety and curb the rising cases of mobile money fraud and identity theft. He further stated that the Authority is engaging the Ministry of Education to integrate cybersecurity education into the school curriculum to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe online. The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of GCTU, Professor Ebenezer Malcalm, backed the CSA’s initiative to introduce cybersecurity education at all levels of learning. According to Prof. Malcalm, the conference aims to explore both the opportunities and challenges associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, focusing on critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and cybersecurity. He emphasised that as new technologies continue to reshape industries and societies, it is equally important to address accompanying threats such as cybercrime and data insecurity. Prof. Malcalm further noted that the outcomes of the conference are expected to contribute significantly to Ghana’s technological and academic advancement, strengthening the country’s preparedness to thrive in the fast-evolving global digital landscape. “This will not only enhance the university’s research output but also broaden the horizon of discourse on emerging technologies while bringing critical thinkers together to propose practical solutions to the multifaceted challenges posed by the digital revolution,” he added. The event drew over 150 participants, including academics, researchers, and technology experts, who presented scholarly papers on various aspects of emerging and disruptive technologies to foster academic collaboration and advance research in technology-driven fields.
