BY Nadia Ntiamoah
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a firm warning against perpetrators of romance scams, vowing that Ghana will not shield offenders but will instead extradite them to face justice in countries where their crimes have caused harm.
Speaking at the launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month in Accra on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, President Mahama said government is working hand-in-hand with global partners to clamp down on online fraud schemes, particularly romance scams that have tarnished Ghana’s international image.
“We’ve been collaborating with our international partners. When evidence is gathered and it is proven that people are involved in romance scams, using our extradition treaties, we ship the culprits back,” the President said.
He stressed that both Ghanaians and foreigners implicated in such fraud will be “handed over to be tried and punished accordingly.”
International Cooperation Against Cybercrime
Romance scams, often involving fraudsters creating fake online relationships to extort money from unsuspecting victims, have been on the rise in Ghana and other parts of Africa.
These scams have cost foreign nationals millions of dollars and raised diplomatic concerns. Over the years, Western governments have pressed Ghanaian authorities to act more decisively against cyber fraud syndicates, which have in some cases operated under the guise of internet cafés or small IT firms.
President Mahama emphasised that protecting the country’s reputation and safeguarding citizens from exploitation is at the core of the government’s stance.
He added that Ghana will rely on extradition treaties already in force with countries in Europe, North America, and Asia to ensure offenders are sent back to jurisdictions where the crimes occurred.
Police Boost Cybercrime Capacity
On the same platform, Interior Minister Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak highlighted the progress the law enforcement is making in combating cyber threats.
He revealed that the Ghana Police Service is now leveraging open-source intelligence and advanced investigative tools to track cybercriminals.
“The modern digital forensic lab has been equipped to examine seized digital devices such as mobile phones, computers, and storage media to ensure that credible evidence is produced in court to secure justice for victims,” the minister explained.
Muntaka added that investigators are being trained in cutting-edge digital techniques through collaborations with academia, professional institutions, and international agencies such as Interpol.
According to him, this investment is already yielding results in tackling cases of mobile money fraud, sexual extortion, and online impersonation.
A Coordinated National Effort
The government’s renewed focus on cybercrime comes at a time when digital fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with syndicates exploiting technology to target both local and foreign victims.
Officials say the strategy is two-fold: prosecuting offenders locally when appropriate, and extraditing them when crimes directly affect citizens of other nations.
