By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has called for urgent and coordinated action to strengthen cybersecurity across Ghana’s financial sector, describing it as essential to protecting economic stability and public trust.
Speaking at the launch of the Cyber and Information Security Directive (CISD) 2026 in Accra, Hon. Julius Debrah emphasized that cyber resilience must now be embedded at the core of financial operations as digital transformation accelerates.
He warned that rising cyber threats pose significant risks to businesses, investments, and everyday financial transactions, stressing that cybersecurity should no longer be treated as a narrow technical issue but as a strategic national priority.
The directive, introduced by the Bank of Ghana, establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance the sector’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
Hon. Debrah commended the central bank for what he described as a decisive step toward building a secure and trusted digital financial ecosystem.
Also addressing the event, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, reaffirmed government’s commitment to positioning the ministry as a key enabler of Ghana’s digital economy.
He noted that technology is increasingly at the heart of financial services, transforming how institutions operate and deliver value.
He further announced plans to classify all licensed financial institutions as Critical Information Infrastructure, a move aimed at strengthening compliance and cybersecurity enforcement across the industry.
The Minister also underscored the importance of data sovereignty, stressing that sensitive financial data must be stored within Ghana to ensure national security and business continuity amid growing global cyber risks.
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiama, described the CISD 2026 as a transformative framework designed to build a resilient and secure digital financial sector.
He explained that while financial stability remains a core mandate, the digital era requires equal focus on safeguarding data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
He added that advancements in mobile money, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, while expanding financial inclusion, have also introduced more complex cyber threats such as ransomware and large-scale data breaches.
Among its key provisions, the directive introduces artificial intelligence governance frameworks, stricter cloud security requirements, proportional regulations based on institutional risk levels, and mandatory board-level oversight of cybersecurity.
Dr. Asiama also announced the expansion of the Financial Industry Security Operations Centre (FICSOC) to cover all financial institutions, including fintechs and microfinance companies, creating a more coordinated national cyber defence system.
The launch marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to secure its rapidly evolving digital financial landscape and sustain confidence in the sector.
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.
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✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
