As at August this year, Ghana has lost 97m dollars due to Cybercrime, Dr. Herbert Gustav Yankson, Director of Cyber Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has revealed.
Addressing students at the Tamale Senior High School, Dr Yankson said Cybercrime is affecting Ghana’s economy and all efforts must be put in place to fight against the menace.
The officer advised the students to be careful of the type of friend requests they accept on social media especially on Facebook, adding that the gravity of the cybercrime, has compelled the Ministry of Communications to embark on the Regional Sensitization Awareness Campaign among stakeholders and the youth in the Senior High Schools.
The Cybersecurity Centre has observed the need for cyber education following the fact that they need to enlighten them on the danger it can pose now and in the future.
Personal security
The Director urged students to use passwords to protect online accounts to prevent people from accessing their accounts without their consent. He added that, passwords to their social media accounts must be a secret.
Dr Yankson emphasised the need for everyone online to be aware of the risks to cyberattacks and called on the students to be responsible for dealings online. He also discouraged students from sharing critical information with strangers online including nude pictures, location and daily activities.
He mentioned the direction to pornographic sites, cyber bullying and online fraud as some of the threats children are exposed to on the internet; he therefore advised teachers and students on the importance of Cyber Hygiene practices to prevent them from falling victims to internet predators and also ensuring a safe digital Ghana.