The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti,  has disclosed that reported cyber incidents cost Ghana an estimated GH¢209.7 million in financial losses from January to September.

He said the Authority’s records showed 4,938 cybersecurity incidents during the period, exceeding the 4,604 cases recorded in 2025, which resulted in losses of over GHS22.5 million.

In January 2026, fifty-three (53) Nigerian nationals were arrested in coordinated intelligence-led operations by the CSA conducted in parts of Accra and its environs. Forty-four (44) others were rescued during the operation.

The Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Technologies, Sam George, made this known on the X platform on Sunday, January 18. According to him, the operations began on January 16 and 17, 2026, at centres located in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija, and Tuba.

“Over the last 48 hours, intelligence led by the @CSAGhana identified several suspected cybercrime centres operating within East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija, and Tuba. The intelligence indicated that young men were being exploited and coerced to engage in various cybercrime activities at these locations by kingpins.

“Acting on this CSA-led intelligence, a joint team comprising operatives from National Security Operations, the Cyber Security Authority, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, and the National Police SWAT conducted coordinated operations at the identified centres on 16th and 17th January 2026,” he wrote.

Fifty-two (52) assorted mobile phones, 62 laptop computers, and two pump-action guns were retrieved at the end of the searches.

“During the operations, nine (9) Nigerian nationals were arrested as suspects, while forty-four (44) additional Nigerian nationals believed to be victims were rescued. The victims were found in their respective apartments, operating laptop computers. Searches conducted in the apartments resulted in the retrieval of the following items: - Fifty-two (52) assorted mobile phones - Sixty-two (62) laptop computers - Two (2) pump-action guns,” he stated.

Last year, Cyber Security Authority (CSA) announced over GH¢19 million in losses to cybercrime between January and September this year, marking a 17 per cent increase in cyber crimes compared to the same period in 2024.

The Authority’s Head of Law Enforcement and Liaison at the CSA, Colonel George Eduah Bessi, made this revelation during a cybersecurity awareness webinar organised by the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation.

He expressed concern over the growing trend of online crimes in Ghana, highlighting the dangers it poses to the economy. Earlier in the year, the authority reported a steep rise in cybercrime, with a record 2,008 cyber incidents, marking a 52 per cent rise from 2024.

He said that among the online crimes, the most prevalent is online fraud, which makes up about 36% of the reported cases, including mobile money scams, fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, and cyberbullying, mostly targeting women and children, and representing 25% of all reported incidents.

Colonel Bessi mentioned that his outfit has ramped up efforts to create awareness and ensure regulations compliance among users, urging individuals and businesses to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices.He commended the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation for its ongoing efforts, stressing that such initiatives are critical to sanitising the digital ecosystem and preventing future threats.

“The rising losses highlight the urgent need for greater cybersecurity awareness across all sectors of Ghana’s digital economy,” he cautioned.His remarks come on the back of the government’s establishment of a $50 million fund to help fight cyber crimes in the country.

President John Mahama announced this in a speech at the launch of the 2025 National Cyber Security Awareness Month and the inauguration of the Joint Cyber Security Committee, which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) on Wednesday, October 1.

“We are establishing a $50 million FinTech Growth Fund to support Ghanaian innovators in developing digital solutions tailored to our local needs. This initiative is a key pillar of our Reset Ghana agenda, aimed at boosting the digital economy and strengthening our fight against cybercrime,” he said.

He continued that the fund forms part of his government’s Reset Ghana agenda, which seeks to build a strong and secure digital system.“As we expand digital public services and mobile money usage, we must reinforce the systems that safeguard them. This is why under the Reset Ghana agenda, my administration has prioritised digital transformation as a key part of our national development policy. And cybersecurity is at the core of that transformation,” President Mahama said.

The President outlined four flagship digital programmes already underway. These include the One Million Coders Programme, which seeks to train young Ghanaians in software engineering, data analytics, and cybersecurity; and the Digital Jobs Initiative, a public-private partnership aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities in technology.

He added that the new FinTech Growth Fund will support local start-ups to design financial technology solutions that can serve both Ghana and the wider African market.

“The FinTech Growth Fund will support local start-ups to design financial technology solutions that serve Ghana and can be scaled across the African continent. We are investing in innovation that reflects our realities and empowers our people,” he said.