As rapid digital adoption transforms the national economic landscape, industry leaders, government representatives, and youth advocates gathered at the Ethical Hacking and Offensive Cybersecurity Conference, known as EthoCon, to address the expanding security gap in the digital ecosystem. Hosted by US-based cybersecurity company Ethosec, the annual conference brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on protecting critical infrastructure and fostering shared digital responsibility.
Speaking at the event, Ashraf Saaka, Founder of Ethosec and Convener of EthoCon, emphasized the urgent need to bridge the gap between digital adoption and cybersecurity measures. Ashraf Saaka pointed out that while the transition from physical cash to digital wallets and mobile money systems has increased financial convenience, it has simultaneously exposed severe vulnerabilities across the country.
He noted that financial fraud and social engineering schemes are currently the primary concerns for everyday citizens because bad actors work around the clock to deceive users and steal hard-earned funds.
Ashraf Saaka outlined the necessity of building robust protection systems that combine proactive policy formulation with enforceable accountability measures. He explained that policy must keep pace with fast-evolving technologies, urging regulators to empower agencies like the Cyber Security Authority to actively enforce standards, levy fines, or temporarily suspend services for non-compliant institutions.
Addressing technical requirements, the Founder stated that banks and private entities holding user data must adhere to international best practices, including continuous server patching, real-time transaction monitoring, and the elimination of obsolete legacy systems.
Furthermore, he highlighted the emerging risks of Artificial Intelligence, warning that threat actors leverage unmonitored AI tools to bypass security protocols, thereby necessitating strong guardrails and protective testing environments.
Joining the call for heightened digital defense, Osman Ayariga, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, explained the vital role of civic awareness and youth education in combating online fraud. Osman Ayariga noted that young people now spend more time on their smartphones and online platforms than anywhere else, making personal cyber hygiene an essential life skill.
He expressed concern over the rising incidents of mobile money fraud, where individuals unwittingly expose sensitive personal information or PINs to impostors claiming to represent telecommunications operators like MTN.
He commended Ethosec and the EthoCon organizers for creating a platform to educate young citizens on protecting their personal digital spaces. He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Youth Authority to collaborate with cybersecurity organizations in driving nationwide awareness campaigns, reminding the public that mobile devices carry immense power that requires constant caution.
Extending his address to broader civic engagement, Osman Ayariga also urged Ghanaians across all districts and local assemblies to participate en masse in the upcoming National Youth Cleanup Exercise Day starting at seven in the morning on Saturday, August first, emphasizing that maintaining community sanitation is a collective defense against seasonal flooding risks.
Concluding the conference, both Ashraf Saaka and Osman Ayariga urged young Ghanaians to view cybersecurity not as an abstract theoretical concept, but as an essential practical discipline and a promising career path.
As digital services expand into every sector of Ghanaian society, both speakers agreed that building a resilient digital future depends on combining robust institutional policies with an informed and vigilant public.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
