President John Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has vowed a tough stance against perpetrators of online romance scams, warning that all offenders, whether Ghanaian or foreign nationals, will be extradited and prosecuted without hesitation.
Speaking at the launch of Cyber Security Awareness Month in Accra on Wednesday, the President said Ghana is stepping up collaboration with international partners to tackle online fraud, stressing that decisive action will be taken once evidence is secured.
“We’ve been collaborating with our international partners. When evidence is gathered and it is proven that people are involved in romance scams, using our extradition treaties we ship the culprits back,” he stated.
President Mahama explained that Ghana would rely on existing extradition treaties to ensure that suspects are sent to jurisdictions where they can face trial.
“So we will continue to collaborate with all our global partners. Anybody involved in romance scams, whether you are a foreigner or a Ghanaian citizen, we will hand you over to be tried and punished accordingly,” he added.
He stressed that these measures were not only necessary to protect victims but also crucial for safeguarding the country’s international reputation as a responsible digital hub.
This year’s Cyber Security Awareness Month is being held under a theme that underscores the need for collective action to protect the nation’s digital ecosystem.
In line with that, President Mahama announced four flagship initiatives designed to accelerate the country’s digital transformation and enhance cybersecurity.
He mentioned the One Million Coders Programme, which he said will equip one million young Ghanaians with digital skills in coding, software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
The Digital Jobs Initiative, a public-private partnership, aims to create sustainable employment opportunities through technology.
In addition, he disclosed that the government would roll out a $50 million FinTech Group Fund to support indigenous startups and build a vibrant digital finance ecosystem.
The President said the 24-Hour Economy Initiative is also being introduced to promote digital resilience and ensure systems remain secure for continuous operations.
President Mahama further highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, noting Ghana’s alignment with global frameworks such as the Malabo Convention and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
He announced that the country would soon ratify and sign the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, which will provide stronger tools for investigating cyberattacks, prosecuting offenders, and protecting critical infrastructure.
Calling on all Ghanaians to treat cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, the President urged citizens to stay vigilant and actively contribute to building a secure digital society.
He outlined his vision for a “digital Ghana” that is safe, inclusive, and accountable, built on principles of progress with protection, innovation with integrity, and inclusion with justice.
“Digitalisation without security is unsustainable, innovation without responsibility is dangerous, and opportunity without inclusion is unjust,” President Mahama said, stressing the need to balance technological advancement with safeguards that protect people and institutions alike.
By Ernest Kofi Adu