Cyber Security Authority warns Ghanaians on oversharing data and fake job adverts

Pinned summary · as of 06:13

Ghana's Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued fresh public cautions within days of each other, telling internet users to guard their personal details and telling jobseekers to beware of bogus recruitment adverts. The notices were reported on 24 and 27 September, as the country counts down to National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026.

What we know

• The CSA issued public advice on staying safe online in late September 2026, covering both the sharing of personal information and fraudulent job offers.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Opemsuo 104.7 reported that the CSA told people to hand over only the personal details they cannot avoid giving, because criminals often stitch together scraps of public information to commit identity fraud. The message was tied to this year's National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM), whose slogan is "Securing Ghana's Digital Future Together".
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  According to Opemsuo 104.7, the CSA has repeatedly urged internet users to hold back items such as full names, birth dates, location, phone and ID numbers and financial information when posting on social media or any open platform. The authority calls this a first step against fraud, impersonation and other cybercrime.
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  The Ghana Report reported that, in a notice dated Friday, 25 September, the CSA warned jobseekers about a recruitment scam using fake websites that imitate government agencies and other reputable bodies. The authority said these sites aim to harvest applicants' sensitive data through phishing.
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  The CSA said fraudsters spread fake job adverts by text message and on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. It also said they pose as recruiters or senior officials, or speak for well-known institutions, to promote well-paid jobs, especially in security work, according to The Ghana Report.
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  The Ghana Report said the CSA pointed to an online advert that wrongly promised recruitment into a foreign security and drone venture supposedly tied to the Ghana-Burkina Faso border, and to messages wrongly claiming the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) charges fees to secure employment.
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  The CSA advised jobseekers to treat unsolicited offers with caution, especially those promising unusually high pay or posts in security, military and specialised technical fields. It also told applicants to check announcements directly with the institutions concerned and to watch for poor grammar and spelling mistakes, The Ghana Report said.
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  The Ghana Report added that the CSA cautioned against passing on unverified security-related information, which it said could cause fear and confusion. It asked people to report suspected incidents either to the CSA or to the Ghana Police Service's CID unit that handles cybercrime.

Why it matters for Ghana

Jobseekers in Accra, Kumasi and elsewhere face a steady stream of fake adverts, and paying fees or handing over identification documents to a false recruiter can lead to lost money and stolen identities. The CSA's advice on limiting personal details online applies to anyone with a social media or mobile money account. Checking any offer with the named institution before responding is the practical step the authority is pushing.