Gyapong-Oware (L), Isaac Socrates Mensah (M) and Jacqueline Hanson Kotei (R) at the Bright Conversation
MTN GHANA’S Bright Conversations series hosted a high-level cybersecurity discussion, emphasising the need for individuals, businesses, and organisations to prioritise digital safety and responsible technology usage in today’s connected world. The event championed safe and responsible technology adoption.
Speaking at the event, Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security and Governance at MTN Ghana, Jacqueline Hanson Kotei, stated that as part of the telecommunication efforts to provide holistic usage of the internet, it has implemented several cybersecurity measures to create a holistic internet.
She stated they are in partnership with organisations to enhance online security and educate customers on protecting themselves from cyber threats.
Some of their tailored-made measures include organising workshops and discussions to raise awareness about cyber threats, implementing robust security protocols to protect customer data, and promoting safe online practices through public awareness campaigns.
“We visited some service centers two or three weeks ago to discuss cybersecurity with customers and staff. We’ve been engaging our staff on cybersecurity. The danger often comes from within, so educating our staff is crucial,” she said.
Jacqueline Hanson Kotei reaffirmed MTN Ghana’s commitment to cybersecurity education and public engagement through initiatives such as Bright Conversations, designed to empower users with knowledge and promote safe digital practices.
Senior Manager at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Isaac Socrates Mensah, revealed that most cyber incidents in the country are no longer purely technical but increasingly socially engineered, exploiting human trust rather than system flaws.
“Many people think cybersecurity is only about systems and software. But more often than not, the issue begins with human behavior. People are deceived into giving out personal details or clicking on malicious links. Since January alone, we’ve handled nearly 300 cases linked to online criminal activity,” he noted.
Mr. Mensah also announced that the country is taking bold steps to strengthen its digital identification system and clamp down on SIM-related fraud. He disclosed plans for a new SIM re-registration exercise to correct earlier verification challenges and align user data with national digital ID platforms.
For his part, CSA Senior Manager Legal and Compliance, Seth Gyapong-Oware, called for strong cross-sector collaboration to tackle cybercrime and promote digital safety at every level of society.
He noted that Ghana’s national cybersecurity agenda, led by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, emphasises policy reforms, international cooperation, and workforce development to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke