Experts fear a possible security breach into the government’s communication system after the government’s emails have been down for about two days now.

This has sparked national security concerns, coming at a time when cyber crimes are rife in the Region (Africa).

However, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) says it is collaborating with its technical partner, eSolutions, to restore the official Government of Ghana email service, which has been down since early Monday morning.

During an engagement with JoyNews Chief Executive Officer of NITA, Mark Oliver Kevor explained that the disruption, which began around 5:00 a.m. on Monday, August 25, describing it as a “technical challenge” which would be resolved as soon as possible.

“There has been a technical challenge which we are addressing with our technology partners,” he said.

Mr Kevor was, however, unable to give a particular timeline as to when the mail would as and when work on the system is completed.

The current downtime has caused disruptions in the duties of government officials, staff Ministries and Departments that rely on the domain to go about their usual official correspondence.

According to reports, they are likely to resort to using alternative platforms, including their personal platforms, raising questions about data privacy, service continuity and efficiency.

Experts warn that prolonged downtime could erode confidence in government digital infrastructure, delay critical policy communication, and leave gaps for misinformation to thrive. It may also trigger calls for stronger investments in cybersecurity, more resilient government IT systems, and transparent communication protocols during such disruptions.

Meanwhile, the government, through the Office of the President, has temporarily suspended the Director-General of the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA), Divine Selasi Agbeti, for breaching security protocols.

The two-week suspension follows a viral video on social media platforms where a military officer acted as a personal bodyguard to Divine Selasi Agbeti during an event organized by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah.

In an official letter issued by the Office of the President and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has been tasked to investigate the matter.

Also, the Ministry is to review the Director-General’s conduct and take any necessary disciplinary action in line with established protocols.

According to the Presidency, “this development suggests a troubling lapse in judgment and a disregard for established security protocols governing the interaction between civilian institutions and the armed forces.”

Divine Selasi Agbeti's interdiction comes a few days after the government withdrew military protection for all civilians who are not legally entitled, including public officials, former ministers, and businesspeople.

The Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has explained the move as the government's efforts to curb the misuse of military personnel for private purposes.

According to him, the exploitation of military personnel undermines the professional standards of the armed forces. “This decision aims to STOP the misuse of military personnel for personal gain,” he wrote.

The withdrawal of the military began during the ex-president, Akufo-Addo's tenure. Some four military officers assigned to the office of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, were withdrawn by the Ghana Armed Forces, citing improper procedure.

The action prompted national debate on whether security services should be involved in non-military roles. Also, the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, was denied military protection in 2021; however, she has now been placed under the protection of the Ghana Police Service this year.

Meanwhile, the Road Traffic Legislative Instrument (L.I.) excludes the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice from the list of high-ranking public officials permitted to use a siren and motorcade in their official vehicles.

The L.I. was laid before Parliament in 2024 for amendment. It had been previously withdrawn following public backlash over a proposal to grant Members of Parliament (MPs) similar privileges. Critics argued that such privileges for MPs would create inequality on the roads and undermine road safety measures.

Claims that suggest that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are not equipped with the necessary equipment to operate effectively have been dismissed by the Deputy Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr. Jamaldeen Tonzua Seidu.

Speaking to the media on Monday, August 11, Dr. Seidu, noted that such assertions are baseless and lack evidence, adding that, GAF is remain well-resourced to carry out their mandate.

However, he maintains that there is still room for further improvement within the Armed Forces to enhance efficiency.

“What’s the basis for saying we don’t have many operational aircraft or that they are not functioning well? Such conclusions may have no basis without evidential proof. We need to weigh what we have statistically against the overall operations they undertake, and then decide whether the Ghana Air Force should be commended.

“Under very trying circumstances, our men and women in uniform particularly the Ghana Air Force are doing their best. We are probably doing well, but there is always room for improvement,” he noted.

Many have raised concerns about Ghana’s aviation safety and the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces after a military helicopter crash claimed eight lives, including those of two senior government ministers.

Background

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its airforce helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.

Hours later, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.

The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

As part of the 3-day national mourning, the "Evening of Reflections and Memorials" took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was opened to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.

On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.

The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.

Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.

Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.

Recent development

Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.

They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9

On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.

President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.

At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.

“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.