Accra, Ghana – The verified X (formerly Twitter) account of Ghana’s President John Mahama was compromised 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 Mahama’s account started posting endorsements for a fake crypto initiative, Solanafrica. The posts falsely claimed that the project was led by the Ghanaian President to facilitate free digital payments across Africa using the Solana blockchain.

Scam Tactics and Crypto Fraud Alerts

The hackers encouraged Mahama’s followers to invest, falsely presenting the scheme as an innovative solution for financial transactions on the continent. Even after the President’s team removed the fraudulent posts, the account continued to share crypto-related content, including promotions for an upcoming memecoin.

Confirming the restoration of the account, Mahama’s spokesperson, Kwakye Ofosu, told AFP:
“The President’s X account was compromised, and we have taken action to regain control. The account has now been fully restored, and we urge the public to disregard any suspicious cryptocurrency-related posts from the handle.”

Rising Crypto Scams in Africa

The incident highlights the growing threat of cryptocurrency scams in Africa, where digital assets have seen increased adoption amid weak regulatory oversight. Scammers often hijack verified accounts to push fake investment opportunities.

Similar high-profile hacks have occurred in recent years:

• In July 2023, South African opposition leader Julius Malema’s X account was hacked to promote a fraudulent token project.
• In 2022, Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu’s account was compromised and flooded with bogus crypto giveaways.

Cybersecurity experts warn that high-profile individuals must strengthen their digital security to prevent such breaches.

Cybersecurity Experts Warn of Increasing Threats

Cybersecurity specialist Abubakar Issaka of Ghana’s Centre for Cyberwatch and Data Protection advised:
“Two-factor authentication alone is no longer enough. Public figures must monitor login activities, limit third-party app access, and have dedicated teams ensuring 24/7 surveillance of their accounts.”

The Solana blockchain, known for its low transaction fees, has become a popular target for scammers exploiting its name to deceive investors.

Meanwhile, Mahama confirmed on Tuesday that his account had been fully restored with assistance from X’s support team.

Authorities say additional security measures have been put in place to prevent future breaches.