Accra: TECHz – News Desk
In a decisive move to combat the rising tide of cyber threats and digital fraud, Ghana has officially launched the National Community Media Cyber Capability Building Project (NCMCCBP).
Inaugurated on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the National Communications Authority (NCA) Tower in Accra, the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT) and Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA), heavily supported and funded by the Czech government under its Transformation Cooperation Programme.
The project was launched under the theme: “Advancing Ghana’s National Security and Cyber Defence Objectives through Community Media Strengthening for Cybercrime Awareness and Digital Risk Communication”.
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for the country’s digital landscape. According to the CSA, reported cyber incidents in Ghana surged from 1,317 in the first half of 2024 to 2,008 during the same period in 2025. Financial losses attributed to cybercrime reached GH¢14.94 million in the first half of 2025 alone. Highlighting the indiscriminate reach of modern digital criminals, it was disclosed during the launch that two chief executives and a deputy minister had been defrauded just the week prior to the event, demonstrating that no individual is beyond the reach of cyber fraud.
The NCMCCBP seeks to equip over 100 journalists, editors, broadcasters, and bloggers with specialized, practical skills. The training focuses on enabling media professionals to cover cybersecurity issues and cybercrime trends factually and ethically, providing tools for fact-checking and mitigating online disinformation, and promoting digital safety and child online protection awareness within local communities to foster responsible digital citizenship.
During the event, Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Mohammed Adams Sukparu delivered the keynote address on behalf of Minister Samuel Nartey George. He emphasized that cybersecurity is now an economic, governance, national security, and development imperative, urging the media to treat cybersecurity reporting as a crucial public service.
CSA Director-General Divine Selase Agbeti highlighted the absolute necessity of multi-stakeholder collaboration as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated. Additionally, H.E. Pavel Bílek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ghana, noted that the initiative builds on more than four years of cyber cooperation between the two nations, which previously included Czech donations of specialized digital forensic hardware and software to Ghana.
The intensive training program is set to take place in Accra throughout August before moving to Kumasi in September. Participants who successfully complete the comprehensive training sessions and submit a practical journalistic assignment will receive official certification. Furthermore, these graduates will be inducted into the newly formed Cyber Security Press Corps – a dedicated national network of accredited media professionals focused on sustaining public cybersecurity education and awareness.
