Ghana Cyber Security Report
National Defense Grid Assessment & Threat Analysis
Executive Summary
Ghana's digital transformation brings unprecedented opportunities alongside escalating cyber threats. This report assesses the nation's cybersecurity posture, identifying vulnerabilities across critical sectors and proposing defense enhancements to safeguard national interests.
Key Findings
- Cyber incidents increased 127% year-over-year, with ransomware attacks targeting financial institutions
- Only 23% of critical infrastructure operators maintain adequate incident response capabilities
- Ghana ranks 89th globally in cyber readiness, below regional peers Nigeria (72nd) and Kenya (68th)
- Estimated economic impact of cyberattacks reached GH₵240M in 2025
Cyber Defense Posture 2026
National Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Ghana's cyber defense ecosystem comprises the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), sector-specific CERTs, and law enforcement units. However, coordination gaps and resource limitations constrain effectiveness.
Capability Gaps
- Skilled Workforce Shortage: Only 450 certified cybersecurity professionals nationwide, far below the estimated 2,000+ requirement
- Limited Threat Intelligence: Insufficient real-time threat data sharing between public and private sectors
- Legacy Systems: Critical infrastructure relies on outdated technology with known vulnerabilities
- Regulatory Enforcement: Cybersecurity regulations exist but implementation monitoring remains weak
Policy Recommendation
Establish mandatory cybersecurity standards for all critical infrastructure operators with quarterly compliance audits and penalties for non-compliance.
Banking Sector Vulnerabilities
The financial sector represents Ghana's most attractive target for cyber criminals, with 68% of all high-impact incidents in 2025 targeting banks and payment processors.
Attack Vectors
- Phishing Campaigns: Sophisticated emails targeting bank employees with credential theft objectives
- Mobile Banking Exploits: Vulnerabilities in mobile apps enabling unauthorized transactions
- ATM Jackpotting: Physical and logical attacks on ATM networks
- Payment Card Fraud: Skimming and card-not-present fraud schemes
Sector-Specific Challenges
Ghana's banking sector faces unique pressures: rapid digitalization without proportional security investment, interconnected payment systems creating systemic risks, and limited cybersecurity talent retention.
Sector Recommendations
- Implement multi-factor authentication for all digital banking services
- Establish sector-wide threat intelligence sharing platform
- Conduct mandatory penetration testing quarterly for all institutions
- Develop specialized cybersecurity training programs for financial sector
Ransomware Threat Assessment
Ransomware emerged as the most destructive cyber threat facing Ghana, with 147 confirmed incidents in 2025, a 213% increase from the previous year.
Threat Landscape
Ghana faces ransomware attacks from both opportunistic cybercriminals and sophisticated threat actors. Healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and government agencies represent primary targets due to perceived low security postures and high pressure to restore operations quickly.
Incidents (2025)
(32% paid)
Defense Strategies
- Implement comprehensive backup strategies with offline copies
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
- Conduct regular security awareness training for all staff
- Develop and test incident response playbooks
- Segment networks to limit lateral movement
National Cybersecurity Framework Enhancement
Strengthening Ghana's cybersecurity posture requires a comprehensive national strategy addressing policy, capability development, and international cooperation.
Strategic Priorities
1. Legislative Strengthening
Update the Cybersecurity Act 2020 to address emerging threats, clarify enforcement mechanisms, and mandate breach notification within 72 hours for all organizations.
2. Capacity Building
Establish a National Cyber Academy to train 500 professionals annually. Partner with universities to integrate cybersecurity into computer science curricula.
3. Public-Private Partnerships
Create formal collaboration frameworks enabling bidirectional threat intelligence sharing between government CERT and private sector security operations centers.
4. Critical Infrastructure Protection
Mandate security audits for all 16 critical infrastructure sectors, with government support for SMEs to implement essential safeguards.
5. Regional Cooperation
Lead ECOWAS cybersecurity working group to establish regional incident response coordination and cross-border law enforcement protocols.
Implementation Roadmap:
- Phase 1 (0-12 months): Legislative updates, establish Cyber Academy, launch threat sharing platform
- Phase 2 (12-24 months): Mandatory infrastructure audits, expand workforce to 1,200 professionals
- Phase 3 (24-36 months): Full framework implementation, achieve top 50 global cyber readiness ranking
Conclusion
Ghana stands at a critical inflection point in cybersecurity. The nation's digital economy growth trajectory demands immediate and sustained investment in cyber defense capabilities. While challenges are significant—workforce gaps, infrastructure vulnerabilities, evolving threat landscape—the pathways to enhancement are clear and achievable.
Success requires coordinated action across government, private sector, and civil society. With strategic focus, adequate resourcing, and political will, Ghana can transform from a regional cyber laggard to a digital security leader, protecting both national interests and economic prosperity in an increasingly connected world.
About PAISS Ghana
The Pan African Institute for Strategic Studies (PAISS) Ghana conducts rigorous policy research across criminal justice, cybersecurity, and homeland security. Our work informs evidence-based policy development to strengthen institutions and improve public safety across Ghana and West Africa.