The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, has expressed concern that individuals in the previous administration allegedly leaked sensitive information to suspected cybercrime targets, a situation he says repeatedly weakened efforts to sanitise Ghana’s digital space and rebuild international confidence.

In an interview that has circulated widely on social media, the Ningo Prampram MP explained that enforcement actions against cyber fraud often failed in the past because operational details were allegedly disclosed to suspects before arrests could be carried out.

He clarified that requests from international partners such as the FBI did not originate under the current administration, noting that investigations into cybercrime were already underway before he assumed office.

“The FBI did not make the requests today, those requests were pending before I became minister,” he said.

According to the Minister, the challenge was not a lack of intelligence or cooperation from international partners, but the deliberate leaking of information from within, which enabled suspects to evade law enforcement.

“But in the past, people were leaking the information to the targets and helping them evade arrest,” he stated.

Sam George said he took a firm stance upon becoming minister to put an end to what he described as internal sabotage of security operations, stressing that restoring Ghana’s international reputation requires decisive action and strict confidentiality.

“I made a commitment when I became minister. That anything that we would do to clean up the image of Ghana internationally, we will,” he said.

He linked the issue of information leaks directly to Ghana’s wider challenges with digital credibility, pointing out that cyber fraud has negatively affected the country’s standing with global technology and payment platforms.

“They will blacklist Ghana as long as there’s fraud happening in Ghana,” he said, referencing platforms such as PayPal, TikTok and Meta.

The Minister explained that when arrests are frustrated through leaked information, cybercrime continues, making it difficult for the government to assure international platforms that Ghana is a safe and reliable digital environment.

“As we clamp down on cyber crime, it makes our case stronger as we talk to the platforms to monetise and say that Ghana is a peaceful destination, a safe haven, and that illicit flows will not come through here,” he said.

Sam George also noted that the actions of a few individuals who leak information for personal or criminal gain have far reaching consequences for law abiding citizens, particularly content creators and young people who depend on online platforms for income.

“If you have a few people depriving the majority who are doing legitimate work on social media, content creators, the reason you can’t monetise and get value for your craft is because a few people have chosen to give Ghana a bad name,” he said.

He dismissed claims that economic hardship should be used to justify criminal activity or interference with law enforcement operations.

“The excuse and argument that there are no jobs. Then should we say that we shouldn’t arrest armed robbers as well because everybody will have a reason for crime,” he added.

The Minister’s remarks come at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to strengthen internal controls, deepen collaboration with international partners, and prevent leaks that could undermine investigations into cyber fraud and other digital crimes.

The Chief Operating Officer of Fintech Solutions, Cristina J. S. Swan Awagah, has expressed concern over the increasing cases of online fraud and called for stronger cybersecurity habits particularly among young people.

Speaking at the Africa Digital Dialogue on Friday, November 7, 2025, under the theme “Beyond Mobile Money: Fintech’s Next Frontiers,” she emphasized that oversharing personal information online has become one of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to exploit individuals.

The dialogue, hosted by MG Digital in partnership with the Africa Digital Foundation, formed part of the annual Africa Digital Festival (ADF)—a major event celebrating innovation and digital transformation across the continent. This year’s edition brought together policymakers, investors, creators, and startups from over 20 African countries to promote collaboration in FinTech, AgriTech, e-Health, and Artificial Intelligence.

Cristina Awagah highlighted that as fintech adoption expands, the importance of digital literacy and online safety cannot be overstated. With many young Africans active on social media, she cautioned that weak passwords and the habit of sharing personal milestones online make users vulnerable to cyberattacks.

“A lot of fraud cases now involve the youth. We give away so much information on social media—birthdays, personal details—and even use those same details as passwords for our important accounts,” she said. “We must learn how to create strong passwords and understand what information to share and what to keep private.”

Eunice A. Ankomah, a Strategic Communications and DFS Professional, also called on financial service providers to move beyond flashy marketing campaigns and focus on building trust through customer education.

“Adoption is not driven by beautiful campaigns but by trust,” she noted. “Financial service providers must ensure that customers truly understand the services being offered. When customers are educated, they’re less likely to fall victim to fraud caused by negligence.”

She further stressed the need for inclusive communication strategies, explaining that not all customers can read or access SMS notifications.

“In customer education, it’s important to know who you’re addressing and how best they receive information. What about the elderly woman in a rural area with no formal education? How can we ensure she understands how to protect her PIN? We shouldn’t generalize—every customer needs a communication approach that works for them,” she added.

Technology and innovation expert Emmanuel Kpiki also shared how fintech institutions are tightening internal systems to protect clients’ data.

“We regularly audit our systems and ensure that when staff leave an organization, their access rights are immediately revoked,” Kpiki explained. “We’ve implemented cybersecurity directives to strengthen institutional frameworks, prevent transaction fraud, and enhance data encryption and decryption processes.”

The Africa Digital Dialogue concluded that as fintech continues to evolve, the next phase of Africa’s digital economy will depend heavily on cybersecurity, consumer trust, and financial literacy. Beyond mobile money, participants agreed that true innovation must be built on a foundation of safety, education, and ethical digital practices.

A cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace, a global provider of check-in and boarding systems, has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, leading to widespread delays and cancellations on Saturday.

Heathrow Airport confirmed that departing passengers faced delays due to a technical fault in Collins Aerospace’s systems, which provide key services for airlines worldwide. Brussels and Berlin airports issued similar statements, noting that automated check-in and baggage systems had been rendered inoperable since Friday night, forcing a switch to manual operations.

RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, acknowledged the incident as a “cyber-related disruption” but did not specify which airports were affected. The company added that the problem was limited to electronic check-in and baggage handling and assured that teams were working to restore full service.

Brussels Airport described the impact as “large,” warning of ongoing delays and cancellations. Passengers with Saturday flights were urged to confirm arrangements with their airlines before heading to the airport.

Berlin Airport also posted an alert on its website, citing longer waiting times at check-in and promising a swift resolution.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport and Zurich Airport confirmed they were not affected by the disruption.