Cybersecurity Expert Calls for Stronger Public Awareness to Curb Social Engineering Risks
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Regional Manager for Fortinet – English West Africa, Harris Akita, has cautioned that Ghana’s push toward fully digital financial systems must be matched with stronger cybersecurity safeguards to prevent widespread fraud and system vulnerabilities. Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.8FM, Mr. Akita stressed that system integrity and double-spending risks remain some of the biggest threats, especially for platforms that rely heavily on offline transactions. According to him, poorly designed systems could allow unscrupulous individuals to make duplicate payments or trigger repeated deductions once they reconnect online.
“If my system is offline and someone pays, once they come online, there’s going to be another deduction. Some people will take advantage of that. We need to carefully look at that aspect in the systems we use,” he explained.
He also warned against centralizing ledger management systems, noting that placing such critical infrastructure in a single location exposes it to a high risk of cyberattacks.
“Once you centralize the system, you are prone to attack. The level of cybersecurity attacks happening on an hourly basis is alarming,” he said.
Mr. Akita added that user-facing risks are expected to rise sharply, pointing to ongoing challenges such as mobile money scam calls. He noted that transitioning to more advanced digital operations will likely bring more phishing attempts, ransomware attacks, and theft of customers’ private keys, potentially eroding public confidence.
He emphasized the need for nationwide awareness campaigns to educate citizens on how to protect their data and secure their digital keys.
He further raised concerns about privacy and surveillance, warning that if third parties gain access to digital systems, they could exploit loopholes to siphon data or funds.
Mr. Akita advised that any move toward a fully digital financial ecosystem must be accompanied by proper monitoring and surveillance frameworks to safeguard both users and institutions.
He noted that while digital transformation is inevitable, Ghana must prioritize robust cybersecurity infrastructure to ensure trust, resilience, and sustainability within the digital economy.
Mr. Akita, has called for deliberate and sustained public education to improve digital safety awareness as cyber threats continue to rise. He expressed concern that many people still take security issues lightly, making them vulnerable to manipulation and data theft.
The expert also noted that the ease with which individuals disclose private information to strangers creates fertile ground for social engineering attacks.
According to him, strengthening both digital and technical literacy is essential for building a more security-conscious society.
