Ghana president's X account hacked, promotes crypto scam

Ghana’s President John Mahama’s verified X account was hacked for 48 hours, with cybercriminals using it to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency project, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.

The breach, which began on Saturday, was first noticed on Sunday when the compromised account started posting endorsements for Solanafrica, falsely claiming to be "led by Ghana's President John Mahama to make payments across Africa free using the Solana blockchain."

The hackers urged Mahama’s followers to invest in the scheme, claiming it was an initiative to revolutionise financial transactions on the continent.

The fraudulent posts were deleted after the President’s team noticed the breach, but the account continued sharing crypto-related content, including hints about the launch of a new meme-coin.

"The President’s X account was compromised, and we have taken action to regain control," spokesman Kwakye Ofosu told AFP on Tuesday.

"The account has now been fully restored, and we urge the public to disregard any suspicious cryptocurrency-related posts from the handle."

The breach highlights growing concerns over the rise of crypto-related scams in Africa, where digital assets have gained popularity, but regulatory oversight remains weak.

Scammers frequently hijack verified accounts to push fake investment opportunities.

"My team has restored my account, working with the X support team. Thank you for your enquiries and offers to assist," Mahama posted on the X account on Tuesday.

In July 2023, South African opposition leader Julius Malema’s X account was hacked and used to promote a fraudulent token project. Similarly, in 2022, Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu’s account was compromised, flooding his timeline with bogus crypto giveaways.

Cybersecurity experts warn that high-profile figures must tighten security measures to prevent such breaches.

"Prominent personalities, especially those in government, need to implement stringent backend security checks," said Abubakar Issaka, a cybersecurity expert at Ghana's Centre for Cyberwatch and Data Protection.

"Two-factor authentication alone is no longer enough. They must also monitor log-in activities, limit third-party app access, and have a dedicated team ensuring 24/7 surveillance of their accounts to detect and neutralise any suspicious activity before it escalates," he told AFP.

Solana has gained traction in Africa due to its lower transaction fees compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, and scammers have increasingly used its name to swindle investors.

Ofosu said authorities had taken necessary steps to prevent further misuse of Mahama’s account.