Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana and Head of the Cybersecurity Lab at the Department of Computer Science Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong has stated that the people handling the social account of the President of the Republic need more training.
According to him, the hacking of President Mahama’s official Twitter account raises serious concerns about the security measures in place for high-profile digital platforms, particularly those used for official government communication.
Dr. Danso-Ansong noted that account takeovers of this nature are not uncommon, especially for individuals with high public influence. He referenced previous cyberattacks involving world leaders and tech moguls, stating;
“In the year 2020, Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, and Bill Gates all suffered a similar fate on their Twitter or X account. And this has not stopped.”
Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong Senior Lecturer University of Ghana
Despite advances in cybersecurity, he explained that these incidents continue to occur due to lapses in security protocols and user vigilance. He pointed out that handling multiple accounts on the same device or clicking on suspicious links could create vulnerabilities that hackers exploit.
“This keeps all of us worried because if the first gentleman of the land could suffer such a thing, then that alone should tell you how serious this particular incident is.”
Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong, Senior Lecturer University of Ghana
He noted that the President’s communication team should have had more secure systems in place, given the sensitivity of the information shared on such platforms. The attack, which took 48 hours to rectify, reinforces the need for stricter cybersecurity protocols and increased training for those managing government social media accounts.
“For such a situation to happen, I believe that those individuals have to go through continuous training.”
Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong, Senior Lecturer University of Ghana
He suggested that specific policies should be enforced by the Presidency, such as restricting access to government accounts from personal or unsecured devices, avoiding public Wi-Fi networks, and implementing multi-factor authentication as a mandatory security measure.
Multi-Layered Security Measures Needed
Dr. Danso-Ansong highlighted the importance of adopting a multi-layered security approach to protect government digital assets.
“There are simple policies that we need to put in place. A typical example is that such a device or such handles should not be made to connect to several other private accounts.”
Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong, Senior Lecturer University of Ghana
He further emphasized that cybercriminals often use deceptive links to gain access to social media platforms, and handlers must be trained to identify and avoid such threats.
Beyond the President’s account, Dr. Danso-Ansong urged the government to expand cybersecurity measures across all boards.
“It is not just about the President but the government machinery itself. The Minister in charge of government communication also uses social media a lot in putting out information, statements, and others to the public.”
Dr. Edward Danso-Ansong, Senior Lecturer University of Ghana
The hacking of the President’s social media account is not just a technical mishap—it is a clear warning that Ghana’s digital security infrastructure is vulnerable even at the highest level.
This breach highlights a critical weakness that must be urgently addressed to prevent future attacks with potentially catastrophic consequences. As Dr. Danso-Ansong rightly pointed out, if the nation’s highest office can fall victim to cyber threats, then no institution is safe.
Ghana cannot afford to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought. The handlers of the President’s account—and indeed all government digital platforms—must undergo rigorous training and operate under strict security protocols.
The government must take decisive action now, ensuring that the nation’s digital assets are protected against the growing sophistication of cybercriminals.
The time for complacency is over. This incident should serve as a turning point—one that forces a complete overhaul of the way Ghana secures its online presence. Cyber threats will not wait, and neither should we.
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