Tamale â June 27, 2026 â Cybersecurity expert and author Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari has called for urgent national action to tackle the growing threat of digital radicalization, warning that extremist groups are increasingly exploiting social media and other digital platforms to recruit vulnerable young people and undermine national security.
Speaking at a post-book launch public lecture held at the ICT Auditorium of Tamale Technical University on Saturday, Dr. Abukari urged governments, educational institutions, the media and civil society organizations to work together to strengthen digital literacy and build resilience against online manipulation and extremist propaganda.
The lecture, organized by the Africa Research Center for Information Security (ARCIS) in collaboration with Tamale Technical University, was held under the theme: xClicks, Contents x Consequences: How Digital Platforms Enable Radicalism and Youth Exploitation in Ghana.
It followed the launch of Dr. Abukarixs new book, The Digital Radicalism, which explores the evolving relationship between technology, misinformation, cyber threats and violent extremism.
Addressing students, academics and members of the public, Dr. Abukari described digital radicalism as one of the emerging security threats confronting societies worldwide, stressing that the rapid expansion of online platforms has created new opportunities for extremist groups to target susceptible individuals.
He observed that while geo-economic confrontation currently ranks among the worldxs most pressing short-term global risks, the coming decade is expected to witness increasing concerns over misinformation, cyber insecurity, artificial intelligence and climate-related crises.
According to him, misinformation and disinformation have become some of the most dangerous immediate global threats because of their ability to erode public trust, fuel social division and weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
Dr. Abukari also highlighted the growing cybersecurity challenges facing governments, businesses and individuals, emphasizing the need for stronger digital resilience as societies become increasingly dependent on technology.
On artificial intelligence, he acknowledged its enormous potential to transform industries and improve productivity but cautioned that the technology is simultaneously disrupting labour markets across the world.
He noted that nearly 55 percent of jobs are expected to experience significant disruption as AI technologies continue to evolve, urging governments and educational institutions to prepare young people with future-oriented digital and technological skills capable of meeting the demands of an AI-driven economy.
A major focus of the lecture centered on the methods used by extremist groups to recruit followers through digital platforms.
Dr. Abukari explained that many people unknowingly reveal their frustrations, ideological leanings, grievances and distrust of public institutions through comments, posts and other online engagements.
He warned that such digital footprints are carefully monitored by cyber extremists, who strategically identify vulnerable individuals before gradually manipulating them through misinformation, false promises and radical ideologies.
He said the process often begins subtly before evolving into psychological influence capable of reshaping an individualxs beliefs, identity and worldview.
xThe information we voluntarily share online can become valuable intelligence for people seeking to manipulate vulnerable individuals,x he cautioned, urging social media users to become more conscious of their digital behaviour.
He further warned that digital radicalization poses significant risks not only to individuals but also to communities, democratic governance and national security.
To effectively combat the growing challenge, Dr. Abukari called for sustained collaboration among policymakers, educators, journalists, researchers, technology companies and young people.
He encouraged students to cultivate a strong reading culture, remain informed about emerging digital threats and share the knowledge acquired during the lecture with their families, peers and communities.
He further recommended that public education campaigns on digital safety and online extremism should be translated into Ghanaxs local languages and disseminated through both traditional and digital media to ensure wider public understanding.
Beyond the discussions on digital security, Dr. Abukari announced a scholarship initiative aimed at supporting financially disadvantaged students of Tamale Technical University.
Under the initiative, tuition fees for five students will be fully sponsored.
Two beneficiaries will be selected from the Computer Science Department, two from the Marketing Department and one from any other academic department.
Three of the beneficiaries will be female students while two will be male students, a move designed to promote both educational access and gender inclusion.
The announcement received enthusiastic applause from participants, adding a practical dimension to the dayxs discussions by demonstrating a commitment to youth empowerment beyond advocacy.
The public lecture formed part of broader efforts to promote digital awareness and strengthen national conversations around cybersecurity, online safety and responsible digital citizenship as Ghana continues to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital age.