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The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has launched this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) to the media, urging stakeholders to actively participate in public education activities aimed at promoting digital safety.

Observed every October, the National Cyber Security Awareness Month is dedicated to improving cybersecurity awareness among individuals and institutions while building national capacity to respond to emerging digital threats. NCSAM 2026 will be held under the theme, “Securing Ghana’s Digital Finance Ecosystem: Building Trust Through Collaboration and Cyber Resilience.”

Speaking at the media launch, the Director-General of the CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, warned financial institutions, fintechs, payment service providers, insurers and merchants that cybersecurity must no longer be treated as a routine compliance matter, but as a core governance and resilience obligation.

Mr Agbeti said that reported incidents show that criminals are increasingly targeting the digital finance ecosystem through online fraud, impersonation, payment diversion and business email compromise. “Trust is the currency of digital finance,” he said, stressing that customers’ loss of confidence in digital payments will weaken the digital economy.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu (MP), emphasised the role of the media in Ghana's cybersecurity efforts and described journalists as critical partners in protecting the public from online threats. He urged the media to sustain cybersecurity education beyond the NCSAM and use their platforms to raise awareness about emerging cyber risks, especially those targeting users of digital financial services.

"The media has a particularly important role to play in this campaign," he said. "Let us ensure that stories about cybercrime do not merely report the loss after it has occurred but also educate the public about how such crimes are committed, how they can be prevented and where victims can seek assistance."

COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Police CID, noted the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to strengthening digital forensics, cyber intelligence, and international cooperation to disrupt criminal networks and protect public trust in the country’s digital economy. She further urged stakeholders to support cybercrime investigations with speed and coordination.

“Cybercriminals should not mistake online anonymity for immunity. The Ghana Police Service, working with local and international partners, will ensure offenders are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” COP Lydia added.

Speaking from the financial services perspective, Mr. Saddick Arthur, Chief Risk Officer at CalBank, on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr Carl Selasi Asem, stressed that cyber resilience has become a business imperative as financial institutions increasingly rely on digital platforms to serve customers. He therefore called for stronger collaboration across the financial sector to protect consumers and sustain trust in Ghana's digital financial ecosystem.

On his part, Mr. John Awuah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks, highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with strong cybersecurity measures as digital financial services continue to expand. He noted that sustaining public confidence in the digital finance ecosystem requires a collective commitment from financial institutions, businesses and consumers to prioritise security alongside convenience and growth.