Author: Victoria Beeko Danso || Broadcast Journalist And Lifestyle Writer
We live in a world where money can be sent in seconds, bills can be paid with a few taps on a mobile phone, and businesses can reach customers without the limitations of physical boundaries. Technology has undoubtedly made life easier, but it has also created new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting people.
Today, the question is no longer whether we should embrace the digital economy. We already have. The more important question is whether we are doing enough to protect ourselves as we navigate this increasingly connected world.
This is why the message delivered at the official launch of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2026 on October 1 deserves our attention.
The central message was clear: securing Ghana’s digital economy will require more than technology. It will take collaboration, accountability and a shared commitment to trust.
Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu, outlined five priorities for the campaign: securing digital finance, preventing and responding to cybercrime, protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening cyber hygiene, and investing in capacity building, research and collaboration.
Representing the financial sector, Daniel Sowah Klu, Acting Head of Cyber and Information Security at the Bank of Ghana, also highlighted the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to keep pace with the rapid growth of digital financial services.
These priorities are important because our digital lives are becoming increasingly intertwined with our financial security, personal relationships, businesses and livelihoods.
But beyond the speeches, policy discussions and institutional commitments, there is a message I believe every Ghanaian must take personally: your digital safety is also your responsibility.
The Fraud Threat Is Closer Than We Think
Think about how often we receive messages announcing prizes we have supposedly won, calls from people claiming to represent financial institutions, investment offers promising extraordinary returns, or urgent requests for money from people claiming to be friends or relatives.
Some of these messages appear convincing. Others exploit our emotions, trust, financial pressures or desire for better opportunities.
A person may lose money after responding to a fake investment opportunity. Another may disclose a mobile money PIN because a caller sounds authoritative. Someone else may click a link without realising that it could expose personal information or compromise an account.
These situations remind us that digital fraud is not simply a technological problem. It is also a human problem.
Fraudsters often exploit our willingness to trust, our haste in responding to emergencies and our failure to verify information before acting.
We must therefore become more deliberate about how we use our phones, conduct financial transactions and interact with people online.
Eight Practical Ways to Protect Yourself Online
The good news is that while no security measure can eliminate every risk, there are practical steps we can take to reduce our exposure to online and financial fraud.
1. Keep your PINs, passwords and OTPs private.
Your mobile money PIN, bank password and one-time password (OTP) are confidential. Never disclose them to someone who calls or messages you, even if that person claims to represent your bank or mobile money provider. Never approve a transaction you did not initiate.
2. Always verify before sending money.
Before making a transfer, confirm the recipient’s name and transaction amount. If someone calls claiming to be a relative or friend in urgent need of financial assistance, contact that person directly using a number you already trust. A few minutes of verification could prevent a costly mistake.
3. Do not click suspicious links.
Fraudulent links may arrive through SMS, email, WhatsApp or social media. They may imitate legitimate banks, businesses or government agencies. Avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and use official websites or verified applications to access services.
4. Be alert to mobile money scams.
Never rely solely on a screenshot or text message as proof that money has entered your account. Check your actual balance or transaction history. If someone claims to have sent money to you by mistake, verify the transaction through your provider before taking any action or returning funds.
5. Question offers that appear too good to be true.
Be cautious about guaranteed investment returns, suspicious giveaways, unrealistic profits and job offers that require unexplained upfront payments. Research the organisation independently and verify its legitimacy before handing over money or personal information.
6. Strengthen the security of your devices and accounts.
Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever available. Keep your phone and applications updated, use a secure screen lock, and avoid sensitive financial transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
7. Be mindful of what you share online.
Not every detail of your life belongs on social media. Avoid unnecessarily sharing financial information, identification documents, security details or other sensitive personal information. Criminals may use publicly available information to impersonate you or target people close to you.
8. Report suspected fraud immediately.
If you suspect that your account has been compromised or you have lost money through fraud, contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately through official channels. Request assistance in securing your account, change compromised passwords, preserve transaction records and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
What If You Have Already Been Defrauded?
One thing I would like us to understand is that being defrauded should not be a source of shame that prevents us from seeking help.
Fraudsters can be sophisticated, persuasive and persistent. What matters is how quickly we respond when something goes wrong.
Contact your financial service provider immediately, secure the affected accounts and retain relevant messages, receipts and transaction references. Report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
In Ghana, the Cyber Security Authority provides cybersecurity guidance and information on reporting suspected cybercrime through its official website, csa.gov.gh.
Please do not assume that reporting will automatically guarantee the recovery of lost money. However, acting promptly gives the relevant institutions an opportunity to respond and may help prevent further losses.
We must also resist the temptation to keep quiet because we feel embarrassed. Reporting suspicious activity can help protect other people from falling into the same trap.
Parents, Businesses and Institutions Must Also Play Their Part
Digital safety should not be treated as a concern for technology professionals alone.
Parents must help children understand online privacy, suspicious messages, cyberbullying and the risks associated with sharing personal information with strangers.
Businesses must take customer data protection seriously, train employees to recognise cyber threats and establish clear procedures for responding to suspicious transactions.
Financial institutions and telecommunications companies must continue strengthening their security systems while helping customers understand how to identify and report fraud.
Government and regulators must support public education, effective enforcement, research and collaboration to keep pace with evolving threats.
This is where the five priorities outlined at the NCSAM 2026 launch become particularly relevant. Securing digital finance, responding to cybercrime, protecting critical infrastructure, improving cyber hygiene and investing in capacity building must translate into practical action that ordinary citizens can understand and apply.
Cybersecurity awareness should not end with a launch ceremony or a month-long campaign. It must become part of our everyday lives.
My Take: Convenience Must Not Make Us Careless
As a journalist, I believe public awareness is one of the most important tools we have in addressing challenges that affect everyday life. We cannot talk about the benefits of digital transformation without also discussing the risks and the practical steps people can take to protect themselves.
Digital financial services have created opportunities for individuals, traders, entrepreneurs and businesses. We must protect those opportunities by building a culture in which verification is normal, caution is encouraged and reporting suspicious activity is taken seriously.
Let us stop assuming that fraud only happens to other people. Let us also stop believing that a familiar name, an official-looking message or a convincing voice automatically makes a request legitimate.
Before you click, pause.
Before you transfer money, verify.
Before you share personal information, ask yourself whether it is necessary and whether the recipient can be trusted.
And when something appears suspicious, do not ignore it.
Ghana’s digital future must be built on trust, resilience and shared responsibility. The government has a role to play, institutions have a role to play, and every one of us has a role to play.
Ultimately, protecting Ghana’s digital economy begins with collective action, but protecting your own digital life begins with you.
About The Writer
Victoria Beeko Danso is a broadcast journalist, lifestyle writer, communications professional, and digital and cybersecurity advocate with a keen interest in public awareness, governance, digital safety, and issues affecting everyday life. She is passionate about promoting responsible digital practices and empowering individuals and communities with knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.
