Ghana’s Communications Minister, Samuel Nartey George, has criticised FBI Director Kash Patel for allegedly downplaying the role of local security agencies in a recent cybercrime operation.
Mr George maintained that Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence personnel spearheaded the exercise, receiving assistance from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The dispute followed Mr Patel’s October 8 announcement on X that more than 130 individuals had been arrested or detained in Ghana under the FBI’s global Operation Blackout.
According to the American official, the crackdown uncovered fraud estimated at nearly $10 million, involving 89 victims, while over 300 electronic devices were confiscated.
In response, Mr George warned that presenting the exercise as an exclusively American-led mission could damage relations among international agencies and weaken future joint efforts against digital crime.
He stressed that tackling online fraud requires cross-border partnerships and recognition of every participating institution’s contribution.
Mr Patel described the initiative as part of Washington’s broader campaign to dismantle organised scam centres and prosecute individuals involved in fraudulent activities.
However, he acknowledged that those detained included victims who would be returned to their respective countries.
The disagreement underscores the importance of transparent communication and mutual recognition in international security partnerships, particularly as criminal networks increasingly operate across national boundaries.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong