By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
As Ghana accelerates its digital transformation, experts are warning that the nation’s economic and social progress could be undermined without strong cybersecurity practices and responsible technology use.
This message came through strongly at MTN Ghana’s Bright Conversations series, where leading voices from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), industry, and the private sector gathered to discuss how digital trust can be built in an era of increasing online threats.
Moderated by Jacqueline Hanson-Kotei, Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security and Governance at MTN Ghana, the session brought together Isaac Socrates Mensah, Senior Manager at the CSA, and Seth Gyapong-Oware, Senior Manager for Legal and Compliance at the CSA, to dissect the country’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.
Digital Progress, Digital Risk
According to Mr. Mensah, Ghana’s growing dependence on technology spanning mobile money, e-commerce, and digital IDs has also made citizens more vulnerable to cybercrime.
“Cybersecurity is not only about protecting data. It’s about protecting livelihoods,” he said. “As more people rely on digital platforms for work, banking, and education, every breach has real human consequences.”
He revealed that the majority of cyber incidents in Ghana are now socially engineered scams that prey on human trust rather than exploiting software flaws. The Cyber Security Authority has handled nearly 300 online crime cases this year alone.
“We’ve moved from technical hacking to psychological manipulation,” Mr. Mensah explained. “People are deceived, not hacked. That’s why awareness is our most powerful weapon.”
New Measures to Curb SIM and Device Fraud
To enhance national resilience, Ghana is introducing reforms to tighten digital identity verification and reduce SIM-related fraud.
The CSA, working with mobile network operators, is developing a new framework linking each SIM card to its registered device. Once implemented, any device associated with fraudulent activity will be blacklisted and disabled across all networks.
“We want to make digital fraud expensive and unattractive,” Mr. Mensah stated. “If your phone is used for crime, it becomes useless anywhere in Ghana.”
He also confirmed plans for a new SIM re-registration exercise to address earlier data inconsistencies and align user records with the national digital ID database.
Cybersecurity by Design: A Call to Innovators
Addressing Ghana’s growing startup ecosystem, Mr. Mensah challenged entrepreneurs to adopt a “security-by-design” approach embedding data protection and risk management into their technology from the start.
“Innovation must walk hand in hand with security,” he said. “If you build a product without thinking about safety, you’re creating a future problem.”
He urged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to view cybersecurity not as a cost, but as an investment in trust and sustainability.
Safeguarding the Next Generation
The conversation also turned to child protection online, a growing concern as more young Ghanaians access the internet for learning and entertainment.
Mr. Mensah cautioned that improper device setups often expose children to adult content or online predators.
“Parents must take charge,” he warned. “Setting up a child’s phone with an adult account removes important safety filters. Use the parental controls available.”
He recalled an international case where a teenager was manipulated by an AI chatbot to self-harm, describing it as a sobering example of why digital parenting is now as important as digital access.
Shared Responsibility for a Secure Future
CSA’s Seth Gyapong-Oware reinforced the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, noting that cybersecurity challenges cut across borders and sectors.
“No one institution can secure the digital ecosystem alone,” he said. “We need coordination between regulators, service providers, businesses, and citizens.”
He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts under the National Cybersecurity Agenda, which emphasizes education, cross-border cooperation, and workforce development.
MTN Ghana: Driving Awareness and Resilience
For MTN Ghana, the Bright Conversations series is part of its commitment to empowering users with digital literacy and promoting responsible connectivity.
“At MTN, we believe that progress in the digital world must be anchored on trust and safety,” the company said in a statement. “We will continue to collaborate with the Cyber Security Authority and all stakeholders to make the online space safer for everyone.”
MTN pledged to expand public awareness programs, strengthen data protection measures, and support national cybersecurity initiatives.
“Digital transformation is Ghana’s future,” said Ms. Hanson-Kotei. “But that future depends on one thing; trust. And trust must be earned through safety.”
Source; www.leakyghana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
📞 +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
