ETHOCON 2026 has brought cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, government representatives and technology stakeholders together in Accra for a frank discussion about protecting Ghana’s expanding digital ecosystem.
The second edition of the Ethical Hacking and Offensive Cybersecurity Conference was held under the theme, “Securing Ghana’s Digital Future: Trust, Resilience, and Shared Responsibility.”
Participants examined the growing risks facing individuals, businesses, financial institutions and critical infrastructure as Ghana embraces digital services.
Security falling behind digital adoption
Ashraf Saaka, founder of Ethosec and lead organiser of the conference, told Sweet FM Online that Ghana’s rapid adoption of technology has not been matched by sufficient attention to cybersecurity.
“We have adopted technology and digital services vastly in this country,” he said. “What we are forgetting to address is the gap that lies between adoption and security.”
According to him, ETHOCON 2026 was designed to place that gap at the centre of national discussion. The conference provides a common platform for cybersecurity experts, public officials and policymakers to consider practical interventions and stronger enforcement.
Saaka said digital security should no longer be treated as a technical concern reserved for specialists. Increasing dependence on digital systems means weak protection can carry consequences for citizens, businesses and essential public services.
Financial fraud raises concern
The movement from cash transactions to digital wallets has created convenience, but it has also exposed vulnerabilities within Ghana’s financial system.
“The scams and financial frauds are the primary concerns or pain points of Ghanaians currently,” Saaka said, adding that the conference wants to strengthen advocacy for better security across the financial sector.
The threat extends beyond digital payments. Energy systems, public services and other critical infrastructure increasingly rely on connected technologies that could become targets when safeguards are inadequate.
“Cybersecurity touches everything. It touches our critical infrastructure. It could be our power generation,” he cautioned.
Shared responsibility takes centre stage
Saaka said protecting Ghana’s digital future would require coordinated action rather than isolated responses from institutions after attacks occur.
He noted that the discussions at ETHOCON 2026 is to help shape policy, encourage compliance with cybersecurity practices and deepen public understanding of digital risks.
As technology becomes more embedded in everyday life, the conference’s message is clear: Ghana’s digital progress will only remain valuable if citizens can trust the systems behind it.