Ghana launches community media project to boost cyber awareness in rural areas

Ghana has launched an ambitious national programme aimed at strengthening cybersecurity awareness through community media, particularly in rural and underserved regions where digital literacy remains a challenge. The National Community Media Cyber Capacity Building Project (NCMCCBP) was officially introduced on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the National Communications Authority (NCA) Towers in Accra by Deputy Minister Mohammed Adam Sukparu, signalling government commitment to building digital resilience across the nation.

The initiative recognises that as Ghana accelerates its digital transformation, citizens require practical, accessible information about protecting themselves from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By training community media practitioners—particularly radio presenters who broadcast in local languages—the project aims to translate complex cybersecurity concepts into guidance ordinary Ghanaians can understand and act upon.

Tackling Ghana's growing cyber threats

Cybercrime has emerged as a significant challenge for Ghanaian individuals and businesses. Mobile money fraud, identity theft, romance scams, business email compromise and online impersonation have become common tactics exploited by organised criminal networks. The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) Director-General, Divine Selase Agbeti, highlighted that these threats have evolved beyond simple schemes into sophisticated operations requiring coordinated national responses.

The NCMCCBP addresses this vulnerability by equipping community journalists with knowledge on cyber hygiene, online safety, digital fraud prevention and responsible internet use. Radio stations broadcasting in Twi, Akan, Ewe and other local languages can reach audiences far beyond urban centres, providing critical protection advice to vulnerable populations who might otherwise lack access to such information.

Sukparu emphasised that cybersecurity is no longer an optional add-on to Ghana's digital agenda but a foundational pillar. As mobile money adoption, e-commerce and government digital services expand, the risk surface for citizens grows accordingly. Without public awareness, even well-designed systems remain vulnerable to human error and social engineering attacks.

Why it matters for Ghana

Community media's role is strategically vital for Ghana's digital development. Unlike national broadcasters or online platforms that primarily reach urban, educated audiences, community radio stations serve as trusted voices in rural Ghana where penetration of formal cybersecurity training is minimal. Many Ghanaians in these areas conduct financial transactions via mobile money platforms but lack awareness of fraud prevention tactics.

The project also represents a pragmatic acknowledgement that cybersecurity is not purely a technical challenge. Government institutions, security agencies, media practitioners and local communities must work in concert. Media practitioners become force multipliers—one trained journalist can educate thousands of listeners in their language and cultural context, making complex information relatable and actionable.

Furthermore, the initiative strengthens Ghana's broader digital economy. As trust in online transactions grows through public awareness, more citizens engage confidently with e-commerce, fintech services and digital government platforms. This confidence underpins economic growth whilst reducing the social and financial toll of cybercrime.

International support and collaboration

The Czech Republic's Ambassador to Ghana, Pavel Bílek, reaffirmed his country's partnership in building Ghana's cybersecurity capacity through training, technical assistance and knowledge transfer. This international dimension reflects growing recognition among development partners that African nations require sustained technical support and expertise-sharing to combat globalised cyber threats.

The project demonstrates that effective cybersecurity depends on more than technology alone. Expertise, sustained public education campaigns and long-term partnerships between government, media, civil society and international partners create resilient digital ecosystems. For Ghana, this collaborative model offers a realistic pathway to reducing cybercrime whilst enabling citizens to participate safely in the digital economy.