Cybercrime is a pressing issue in Ghana, with its scope and effects growing steadily. This book
seeks to explore the challenges of cybercrime in Ghana and to provide valuable insights into the
strategies needed to effectively combat it. The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has
reported that in 2020 alone, 1,097 cases of cyber fraud were reported at the Cybercrime Unit of
the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), resulting in a huge loss of $19 Million.
In recent years, Ghana has unfortunately been a victim of large financial losses due to
cybercrime. The country has reported significant amounts of money being lost to various forms
of online fraud and other cybercriminal activities. In this explanation, we will delve into the
details of how Ghana lost $35 million in 2016, $69 million in 2017, $98 million in 2018, $105
million in 2019, $77 million in 2020, an alarming $97 million in 2021 to fraudsters, Ghana lost
$77 million dollars to fraudsters in 2022 and Ghana recorded US$105 million in 2023 on
cybercrime as the year is left with three months to end.
With reports revealing the existence of over 4,000 flagged incidents under investigation as April
2021 approaches, this highlights a major issue facing Ghana today. The authors present an
overview of Ghanaian laws regarding cybercrime and delve deep into the complexities of the
issue, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding, preventing, and responding to
cybercrimes both domestically and on an international level. The authors also discuss innovative
solutions for protecting individuals, businesses, governments, and other organizations from
digital threats. Combating Cybercrime in Ghana is a must-read for all stakeholders seeking
effective tools to fight this menace that has become so pervasive in our society today.
The prosecution of cyber criminals is hindered by several obstacles, such as the difficulty in
pinpointing where the crime was conducted, identifying the accountable party, and enforcing
international laws. Moreover, many offenses leave no traceable evidence due to the geographical
separation between victims and perpetrators. This complicates law enforcement’s ability to
capture and conclusively prosecute those responsible. Furthermore, as advancements in
technology create new avenues through which criminal activity can be conducted, current
regulations may not be able to keep abreast with these developments. As such, it is frequently
difficult for prosecutors to seek legal action against cyber criminals.