The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our world in remarkable ways. But it is also creating new dangers for unsuspecting citizens. In Ghana, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend: AI-generated videos, or deepfakes, being used to defraud the public.
On Monday, September 29, 2025, the CSA warned that it had “observed a disturbing rise in the circulation of deepfake or Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated videos featuring publicly exposed persons, including the President, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Government Appointees, Media Houses, and Media Personalities.”
The twist? These videos are entirely fake, but look real enough to convince victims to invest in bogus schemes or buy unapproved drugs.
The Perfect Illusion
Deepfake technology uses sophisticated AI to manipulate images, videos, and voices, making it appear as though someone is saying or doing something they never did.
“The threat actors leverage AI technology to create convincing audio and video that mimic the appearance and voice of prominent individuals,” the CSA explained. This means a video of the President endorsing a weight-loss drug or a minister promoting an “investment platform” may be nothing more than a scam.
The videos are mostly spread on Facebook, where scammers promise “unrealistic or guaranteed high returns on investments that are entirely fake,” often pressuring victims to transfer money.
Spotting the Fake
So, how do you protect yourself? Experts say the first step is to slow down and look closely.
The CSA recommends that Ghanaians watch out for these key red flags:
- Mismatched Lips and Audio: If the person’s mouth movements don’t quite match the words being spoken, that’s a major giveaway.
- Strange Eye Movements: Blinking that is too slow, too fast, or simply “off” is a common deepfake flaw.
- Odd Voice Quality: If the voice sounds “robotic or overly polished” and not quite human, you should be suspicious.
- Unusual Lighting: Shadows that don’t fall naturally, faces that look too smooth, or backgrounds that seem distorted could mean the video has been manipulated.
“These are telltale signs that what you are watching may not be real,” the CSA stressed.
Think Before You Click
In a world where information spreads faster than ever, skepticism is your best defense. CSA cautions citizens to avoid “trusting promotional videos that claim to feature national leaders or officials without verifying from official sources.”
Before parting with your money or personal details, confirm investment opportunities with the Bank of Ghana or check health claims with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).
A National Effort
The CSA says it is working with social media companies, law enforcement, and relevant government institutions to “identify and remove these malicious videos and hold perpetrators accountable.”
But the fight against deepfakes cannot be won by government alone. It starts with individuals learning how to detect fake content, and refusing to share it.
If you come across suspicious videos or online scams, the CSA urges you to report them via its 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact: Call or text 292, WhatsApp 0501603111, or email [report@csa.gov.gh](mailto:report@csa.gov.gh).
In today’s digital world, seeing is no longer believing, and the best protection is a sharp eye and a questioning mind.
