Mahama’s social media hack: A wake-up call for Ghana’s cybersecurity

On March 16, 2025, current President John Dramani Mahama’s official X (previously Twitter) account was hacked and taken over for 24 hours, exposing a major flaw in Ghana’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

During the breach, the account was used to promote a cryptocurrency scam, Solana Africa, misleading thousands of his followers before it was eventually restored.

The attack raises serious concerns about the security of high-profile accounts and the lack of 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring in Ghana.

If a current president’s digital presence can be compromised, it begs the question: how vulnerable are the country’s government institutions, businesses, and citizens?

A Nation Unprotected

While official details on the attack are limited, cybersecurity experts suggest common hacking techniques such as phishing, weak passwords, or SIM-swapping could have been used (Northeast Business Resilience Centere).

Regardless of the method, one fact remains clear—Ghana’s cybersecurity infrastructure is not keeping up with the growing digital threats. This is not the first high-profile cybersecurity incident in Ghana, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Government agencies, financial institutions, and businesses are all at risk as cybercriminals become more sophisticated. The lack of real-time cybersecurity response and proactive defense measures leaves the nation open to further attacks.

FortiShield Ghana Sounds the Alarm

Cybersecurity experts from FortiShield Ghana are raising concerns about the wider implications of this breach. “The breach of President Mahama’s account is not just a PR issue—it’s a national security concern,” says Priscilla Acquah, Cybersecurity Consultant at FortiShield Ghana.

“If high-profile figures aren’t protected, cybercriminals will feel emboldened to target even more sensitive systems. Ghana must take cybersecurity seriously before it’s too late.”

The risk extends beyond just social media. A compromised political account could be used to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or even impact national security decisions. Without immediate investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, Ghana could soon face more severe cyberattacks with real-world consequences

Lessons from the Mahama Hack

According to Benedict Tawiah, Senior Lead Security Engineer at FortiShield Ghana, the attack highlights critical weaknesses in digital security protocols.“This is a textbook example of why cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought,” he explains.

“Cybercriminals don’t work 9 to 5. If there’s no 24/7 monitoring, no real-time threat response, and no strict authentication measures, these attacks will keep happening.” To prevent future incidents, FortiShield Ghana recommends and provide services in the following:

• Mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all high-profile accounts.
• 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
• Stronger security training for government officials and corporate leaders.
• National cybersecurity legislation enforcement to hold organizations accountable for weak
  security practices.
• Advanced Security Audits & Risk Assessments
• Incident Response & Digital Forensics
• Cybersecurity Awareness Training
  Stay ahead of cybercriminals. Protect your online presence today.

Ghana Must Act Now

Ghana’s cybersecurity measures are not strong enough to protect its leaders, institutions, or citizens.  Cyber threats growing globally, Ghana must shift from reactive responses to proactive defense strategies.

By Melinda Berko,

Senior Account Director, Fortishield Ghana (www.fortishieldghana.com)

Source: myjoyonline.com