President John Dramani Mahama has pledged a renewed and aggressive fight against cybercrime, warning fraudsters and criminal syndicates that the government will no longer tolerate their operations.
He made this declaration at the launch of the 2025 October Cyber Security Awareness Month, where he underscored the growing threats posed by cyber fraud, romance scams, insider banking crimes, and online hate speech.
Addressing the gathering ahead of his keynote speech, President Mahama described the tactics of cyber fraudsters as both deceptive and alarming, noting that ordinary citizens continue to fall victim to schemes that exploit trust and ignorance. He recounted common scams targeting mobile users, including fake calls purportedly from telecommunications companies.
“First thing, if they manage some good English, they will say, ‘Please, we are calling you from MTN, and your number has been blocked, so we want to unblock it for you. Your mobile pin has been unblocked.
“Then they start leading you, and some of our citizens, I respect them, but unfortunately, they play along. The fraudster will say, I’m going to send you a code. When I send you a code, repeat it to me so that I can unblock your mobile pin.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President further noted that some criminals even pretend to stammer in order to disarm unsuspecting victims. “The most interesting one is this guy who pretends to be a stammerer. And says, so read the number for me quickly. They say, what, what, what, what, what, what, what, what?” President Mahama narrated, drawing attention to how easily citizens can be deceived.
He stressed that public awareness is the most effective shield against such scams. “I wish that all our citizens were aware that your bank won’t call you. Your telecom provider won’t call you and ask for your personal details, and so this is a very important month and program,” he emphasized.
International Cooperation
President Mahama’s remarks also extended to other types of cybercrimes, particularly romance scams that have ensnared both Ghanaians and foreign nationals. He revealed that international cooperation has been critical in addressing these schemes.
“Some are romance scams, and recently it’s been proven that people are involved in them. Using our extradition treaties, we ship the culprits back, and so we will continue to collaborate with all our global partners.
“Anybody involved in romance scams, whether you are a foreigner or a Ghanaian citizen, we will hand you over to be tried and punished accordingly”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President also expressed concern about insider threats within financial institutions, where some employees exploit their positions to defraud customers and companies. “And so the Bank of Ghana and the cyber security agencies have arrested a few such, and punishment is normally very swift, and the people are sanctioned for what they do,” he stated.
Online Hate Speech
Beyond financial fraud, President Mahama warned against the rising tide of online hate speech, which he said is increasingly being weaponized to divide communities along ethnic and social lines.
“People intentionally post messages that will pit one ethnic group against the other. That is also becoming very commonplace, and it’s something that our cyber security authority and allied agencies must look at”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President’s comments come at a time when Ghana, like many nations, is grappling with the double-edged nature of digital transformation. While the internet and digital platforms have spurred economic growth and connectivity, they have also created opportunities for crime.
His administration, he said, is determined to equip law enforcement and regulatory agencies with the resources and legal tools needed to protect citizens and businesses.
Cyber Security Awareness Month, celebrated every October, has become a cornerstone initiative in Ghana’s strategy to strengthen public knowledge and resilience against cyber threats. This year’s launch highlighted the importance of community vigilance, corporate responsibility, and global partnerships in building a secure digital ecosystem.
President Mahama called on citizens to treat cybersecurity as a shared responsibility. He urged individuals to exercise caution online, companies to reinforce internal controls, and institutions to deepen collaboration with security agencies. “We cannot leave this fight to the government alone,” he stressed.
As the month-long activities unfold, the President’s declaration signals a broader national commitment to tackling the scourge of cybercrime head-on. For many, the assurance of swift punishment for offenders and the promise of stronger preventive measures represent a crucial step toward securing Ghana’s digital future.
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