The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has announced plans to establish a Cybersecurity Press Corps as part of efforts to improve public awareness of cyber threats and strengthen accurate reporting on online fraud and digital security issues in Ghana.
The initiative, announced by Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti, is aimed at creating a network of trained journalists capable of reporting cyber incidents responsibly, explaining cybersecurity issues in accessible language and alerting the public to emerging online scams.
Mr Agbeti made the announcement at the launch of the National Community Media Cyber Capacity Building Project (NCMCCBP) in Accra.
The project is being implemented by the CSA in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation (ACDT) and is funded by the Government of the Czech Republic.
He said the media plays a critical role not only in reporting cybercrime but also in preventing it through public education and early warning.
“The media does far more than report incidents. You prevent them. A single radio discussion in a local language can prevent thousands of people from becoming victims of fraud. A television interview can expose a new scam before it spreads nationwide,” he said.
Mr Agbeti warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated methods, including monitoring social media activity to gather personal information before targeting victims.
“They don’t just attack. They study you for days, weeks and sometimes months through social media. They learn about your family, your relationships and your interests before making contact,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to be cautious about the amount of personal information they share online and identified mobile money fraud, online investment scams, romance fraud, identity theft, sextortion, business email compromise and online impersonation as some of the most common cyber threats affecting the country.
The CSA, he said, is working with the Ghana Police Service, National Security, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and international partners to investigate and disrupt cybercriminal networks.
Under the new initiative, journalists will receive specialised training to improve their understanding of cybersecurity issues and enhance their ability to communicate cyber risks effectively to the public.
“When new cyber threats emerge, they will help ensure that the public receives timely and accurate information. When cyber criminals are arrested, they will help citizens understand why these operations matter,” Mr Agbeti said.
The Czech Ambassador to Ghana, Pavel Bílek, said the project reflected the growing cybersecurity partnership between Ghana and the Czech Republic.
He announced that more than 100 journalists from national, regional and community media organisations would receive training on cyber threats, online fraud, misinformation, child online protection and responsible reporting.
“Professional and well-informed media help citizens understand risks, recognise scams and make safer choices online. In the digital age, the media are not only observers of cyber threats. They are educators, early warning actors and bridges between institutions and communities,” he said.
Ambassador Bílek reaffirmed the Czech Republic’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s cybersecurity development through technical cooperation, specialised training and long-term institutional partnerships.
