ETHOCON 2026 Calls for Stronger Cybersecurity Measures as PayDirect Unveils AI-Powered Digital Payment Platform
Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. | WAGMC, Accra | July 31, 2026
Cybersecurity experts, policymakers and technology innovators have called for stronger cybersecurity policies, enhanced public awareness and greater collaboration to protect Ghana’s growing digital economy from emerging cyber threats.
The call was made during ETHOCON 2026, organised by Ethosec in partnership with PayDirect under the theme, “Securing Ghana’s Digital Future: Trust, Resilience and Shared Responsibility,” at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), University of Ghana, Legon.
Speaking at the conference, the Founder of Ethosec and Convener of ETHOCON, Ashraf Saaka, said Ghana’s rapid adoption of digital technologies has outpaced the country’s cybersecurity preparedness, creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals continue to exploit.
According to him, while digital payments, mobile money services and online platforms have become part of everyday life, the gap between technology adoption and cybersecurity remains a major concern.
“The scams and financial fraud we are witnessing today are largely because digital services are expanding faster than the security measures protecting them,” he said.
Mr. Saaka noted that cybersecurity extends beyond financial transactions to protecting critical national infrastructure, including energy systems and other essential digital services.
He explained that ETHOCON was established to provide a platform where government officials, regulators, policymakers, cybersecurity professionals and industry players could jointly develop solutions to strengthen Ghana’s digital resilience.
Touching on artificial intelligence (AI), he observed that while AI presents enormous opportunities to improve productivity and innovation, it also introduces new security risks that require appropriate safeguards.
He warned that cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging AI to launch more sophisticated attacks, making it essential for governments, businesses and individuals to adopt stronger security measures alongside AI deployment.
Mr. Saaka stressed the need for government to develop cybersecurity policies at a pace that matches technological innovation and ensure that existing laws are effectively enforced.
He proposed stronger regulatory action against organisations that fail to comply with cybersecurity standards, including fines and temporary suspension of services where necessary.
He also urged financial institutions and other organisations handling sensitive customer information to adopt international cybersecurity best practices by regularly updating software, patching system vulnerabilities, monitoring digital transactions and replacing obsolete technologies.
For the general public, he advised citizens to remain vigilant against fraudsters, particularly individuals who create a false sense of urgency to obtain Mobile Money PINs and other confidential financial information.
He described cybersecurity awareness as one of the country’s strongest defences against cybercrime and encouraged young people to pursue careers in cybersecurity to help address Ghana’s growing digital security needs.
Also speaking at the conference, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SoftMasters, Dr. Benjamin Adu, announced the upcoming launch of PayDirect, an AI-powered digital payment platform designed to provide secure payments, e-commerce and agency banking services.
Dr. Adu explained that the platform, scheduled to be launched in August, combines payment services, online commerce and banking into a single super application aimed particularly at supporting businesses in Ghana’s informal sector.
He said the application enables merchants to create free online stores where customers can browse products, generate invoices and complete purchases through QR code technology, eliminating long queues and reducing dependence on cash transactions.
According to him, the informal sector contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy but continues to face challenges such as poor record-keeping, cash leakages and limited access to digital commerce.
He said PayDirect seeks to improve business efficiency by helping traders maintain accurate digital transaction records while expanding their reach to customers both within Ghana and internationally.
Dr. Adu disclosed that one of the platform’s major innovations is its AI-powered transaction monitoring system, which analyses transaction patterns, identifies suspicious activities and automatically flags potentially fraudulent accounts before significant financial losses occur.
He explained that reducing human intervention in fraud detection allows suspicious transactions to be intercepted much faster than traditional manual processes.
The SoftMasters CEO further announced that PayDirect has partnered with Ghana Post and participating financial institutions to provide agency banking services, enabling customers to access banking services from designated post offices across the country.
To strengthen security, he said all users on the platform will undergo identity verification, while AI systems will continuously monitor transactions against recognised fraud patterns and international sanctions databases to detect high-risk activities.
The application also incorporates built-in messaging and video communication features to enable buyers and sellers to verify identities before completing transactions, thereby reducing opportunities for online fraud.
Dr. Adu described PayDirect as more than a payment application, saying it is a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to promote secure digital commerce, improve financial inclusion and support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
The conference concluded with a strong call for government, regulators, financial institutions, technology companies and the public to work together in building a secure, resilient and trusted digital environment capable of supporting Ghana’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
