Ghana has become an attractive destination for cybercriminals due to weak prosecution, poor asset confiscation practices, and low public education on cybercrime, a cyber security expert Mr Richard Kumador has said.
Speaking on Sompa FM, Mr. Kumador argued that the country’s failure to decisively punish cyber offenders has allowed cybercrime to thrive. He alleged that state complacency may be linked to the use of proceeds from cybercrime to finance political party activities, with the possible involvement of politically exposed persons.
According to him, these systemic weaknesses explain why the United States authorities are now increasingly involved in cybercrime investigations in Ghana. He explained that U.S. officials participate in investigations, arrests, and extradition of these cyber criminals because of an existing extradition treaty between Ghana and the United States. He added that once Ghanaian courts are satisfied with the evidence presented, suspects are extradited to the U.S. to face trial under American law.
Mr. Kumador also addressed public concerns over the role of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), particularly questions about why the agency has not pursued the former Finance Minister under the Akufo-Addo governance, Ofori Atta, in relation to ongoing cybercrime matters. He clarified that such responsibilities fall under the mandate of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Attorney-General’s Department, not EOCO, stressing that the agency should not be blamed for the actions outside its jurisdiction.
He called for greater public education on the roles of state institutions and stronger enforcement of cybercrime laws.
