Ghana extractive sector faces unique mining and cyber security challenges

Security experts and industry leaders in Ghana are calling for specialized approaches to address the unique risks facing the nation's extractive sector. At the sixth West Africa Mining Security Conference in Accra, officials warned against applying Sahelian anti-terrorism tactics to combat 'galamsey' (illegal mining). Deputy Minister for the Interior Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi noted that security strategies must be tailored to local issues such as gold smuggling, illegal trading networks, and community disputes rather than relying on purely militarized responses.

Simultaneously, executives from the mining, oil, and gas industries are focusing on the rising threat of digital vulnerabilities. During an event hosted by the e-Crime Bureau, participants discussed how cyberattacks, industrial espionage, and the misuse of artificial intelligence could impact physical infrastructure and business continuity. Leaders emphasized that as extractive companies adopt more digital technology, they must strengthen cybersecurity expertise and organizational resilience to prevent breaches that could have physical consequences.