NEWS

Former National Signals Bureau Director Arrested Over $7M Cybersecurity Scandal

Kwabena Adu-Boahene, the former Director-General of Ghana’s National Signals Bureau (NSB), was detained in relation to a purported financial scam involving a cyber defense contract for $7 million. At a news conference on Monday, March 24, 2025, Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, disclosed this information.

The Attorney-General claims that Mr. Adu-Boahene stole public monies intended for a vital national security project through unlawful activities. By strengthening Ghana’s capacity to identify, stop, and react to online threats like cyberattacks and data breaches, the contract in question sought to improve the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

The Ghanaian government, the National Security Agency, and the Israeli cybersecurity company RLC Holdings Limited inked the deal on January 30, 2020. But the former NSB director allegedly transferred the allotted monies through questionable financial operations within a week of signing the agreement.

Mr. Adu-Boahene is accused of moving GH¢27,100,000 from the NSB’s Fidelity Bank account to a private BNC account at UMB on February 6, 2020. According to official records, the transfer was made to pay for cybersecurity software. Subsequent inquiries, however, showed that the money had been transferred to a private business connected to Mr. Adu-Boahene, which raised grave questions regarding power abuse and financial mismanagement.

The diversion of these funds is believed to have significantly delayed the implementation of critical cybersecurity measures, leaving Ghana’s digital infrastructure vulnerable to cyber threats. This development has sparked concerns about the country’s preparedness in safeguarding sensitive government data and national security assets.

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the matter, and legal proceedings are set to begin soon. Attorney-General Ayine emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and prosecuting individuals involved in financial misconduct. He further assured the public that measures would be put in place to prevent similar breaches in the future.

This case underscores the importance of transparency in national security contracts and highlights the need for stricter financial oversight in government dealings. As the investigation unfolds, the Ghanaian public and international stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments surrounding this high-profile case.

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