Digital fraud now an economic threat, not just a crime issue - Prof. Bokpin

Professor Godfred Bokpin, an Economist and Professor of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School, stated in a yet-to-be-aired documentary, "The Trust Crisis," that digital fraud must not be treated only as a criminal matter because its impact can weaken confidence, reduce participation in digital payments, and slow economic growth. He said, "It is very difficult to separate the two. It is a crime, but of course, it is also driven by economic reasons. There are those who invest to ensure that they benefit from this fraud because that is a kind of profession for them all over the world. The law alone does not solve that problem. You also need higher public education. Higher financial literacy also helps, so that people understand how they use it and how they can protect their passwords."

Prof. Bokpin was speaking ahead of the maiden Digital Economy Forum, themed "The Trust Crisis: Why Fraud Is Holding Back Ghana's Digital Economy." This thought-leadership platform, an initiative of Hubtel, will air on JoyNews and Joy FM on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. The forum will gather regulators, banks, fintech companies, telecommunications firms, security agencies, and consumers to assess if Ghana's regulatory system is keeping pace with digital finance growth. Prof. Bokpin noted that Ghana's digital economy relies on trust, and sustained erosion of confidence could impact financial inclusion, formalization, tax mobilization, and the country's transition to a cash-lite economy. His comments coincide with rising fraud cases in Ghana's financial sector.