The Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB), Edward Ato Sarpong, has called for stronger collaboration among financial institutions, customers, technology stakeholders, and government to safeguard Ghana’s growing digital financial ecosystem against cyber threats.
The call comes as we end the 2026 National Cyber Security Awareness Month under the theme, “Securing Ghana’s Digital Finance Ecosystem: Building Trust Through Collaboration and Cyber Resilience.”
Mr. Sarpong noted that while digital banking and electronic payments continue to create opportunities for greater convenience, financial inclusion and business growth, protecting customers’ money and personal information must remain a shared priority.
“Digital banking must be built on trust. As more customers embrace digital channels to manage their finances, we must ensure that security and awareness keep pace with innovation. Protecting the digital financial ecosystem is not the responsibility of banks alone; customers, businesses, technology providers, and regulators all have important roles to play,” Mr. Ato Sarpong.
He emphasised that cybersecurity awareness must go beyond technical systems and become part of the everyday decisions customers and employees make when using digital financial services.
According to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), 3,876 cybersecurity incidents were recorded between January and July 2026, with online fraud accounting for approximately 47 per cent. The figures underscore the importance of sustained public education and stronger measures to prevent cyber-enabled financial crime.
Mr. Sarpong urged customers to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages, suspicious links, impersonation attempts and calls from individuals claiming to represent their banks.
He advised customers never to disclose their Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), passwords, card security codes or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to anyone, even where the request appears to come from a bank official. Customers should independently verify unusual requests through their bank’s recognised communication channels before taking action.
“Cybercriminals often exploit trust, urgency and a lack of awareness. A suspicious message or unexpected call can appear genuine, but one moment of caution can prevent significant financial loss,” he noted.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the Bank, MrAgbenya Adotey announced that the Bank of Ghana (BoG) is developing an industry-wide fraud intelligence hub to facilitate information sharing on emerging fraud patterns and a digital trust layer for verifying transactions, signatures and credentials.
Mr Adotey further encouraged customers to use strong, unique passwords, protect their mobile devices, keep their banking applications updated and report suspicious activity promptly to their banks.
“At ADB, our commitment to going Beyond Banking means recognising that customer confidence extends beyond the products and services we provide. It also depends on helping customers understand the risks associated with digital financial services and empowering them to use these services safely and responsibly,” MrAdotey said.
As Ghana continues to expand its digital economy, building a culture of cybersecurity awareness is essential to protecting customers, strengthening confidence in digital financial services and supporting sustainable economic growth.
