Poverty as a Catalyst for Cybercrime: Evidence from Agona Swedru, Ghana

Paul Kwasi Kumah ORCID iD, Hubert Bimpeh Asiedu ORCID iD, Charles Obeng ORCID iD & Felix Awuah Obeng Senior  ORCID iD

Issue: Vol.5  No.14 Issue Article 10 pp.2582-2596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451410 | Published online 28th November, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Despite numerous efforts by stakeholders and institutions to mitigate social inequality and cybercrime globally, “these issues persist, particularly in developing countries like Ghana, where cybercrime has become a primary pursuit for many young people. This study aimed to examine the effect of social inequality on cybercrime and the mediating role of financial constraints. Using a quantitative research survey and a simple random sampling technique, 397 individuals were surveyed. The study’s findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between social inequality and cybercrime. There was also a significant positive relationship between social inequality and financial constraints. Additionally, a significant positive relationship was identified between financial constraints and cybercrime. The study also found a significant indirect effect of social inequality on cybercrime through financial constraints, indicating that financial constraints partially mediate the relationship between social inequality and cybercrime. Therefore, this study concluded that social inequality and financial constraints contribute significantly to the incidence of cybercrime in Agona Swedru and similar contexts. It is recommended that policymakers emphasize initiatives that promote equitable access to education, employment opportunities, and financial resources that alleviate the financial strain that pushes individuals towards cybercrime. By highlighting the link between social inequality and cybercrime while also revealing the mediating role of financial constraint, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of socioeconomic factors driving cybercrime.”

Keywords: Social Inequality, Cybercrime and Financial Constraint

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Rev. Fr. Dr. Paul Kwasi Kumah is an ordained Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi, Lecturer in sociology with research interest in crime, education, and religion. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the KNUST, MPhil in Sociology from the KNUST, M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Cape Coast, PGDE in Education from the University of Cape Coast, Bachelor of Arts  in Sociology and the study of Religions from the University of Ghana, Legon, Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome. Rev.Fr. Dr. Kumah has Certificates in Criminology from the University of Queensland, Australia, Philosophy from the St. Paul’s Major Seminary in Accra and Sacred Theology from the St. Peter’s Major Seminary in Cape Coast, Ghana. Research interests include Sociology of Education, Criminology and criminal Justice and Religion.

Dr. Hubert received his B/A in Sociology and Study of Religion from the University of Ghana, Legon in 2004 and moved on to attain his MPhil in Sociology of Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana in 2011. He later had his PhD in Sociology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 2018. His other qualifications are Postgraduate Diploma in Education, University of Cape Coast (2004),and Postgraduate Diploma in Organizational Development, University of Cape Coast (2014). His reseaech interest includes education, Gender and criminology.

Mr. Charles Obeng is currently a Teaching and Research Assistant in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (KNUST) with first-class honors. He is a multi-disciplinary trained researcher whose works extend into various areas of sociology and health. His research interests include education, publich health, criminology, business and politics. His current studies focus on examining the impact of health information technology on patients care quality and efficiency in public hospitals in Ghana, as well as enhancing students’ interest and academic performance through innovative teaching methods such as discussion and multimedia.

Mr. Felix Awuah Obeng Senior is an emerging Scholar who holds an Honours degree in Sociology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana, where he is currently pursuing his MPhil in Sociology. His research focuses on three key areas: Crime and Deviance, Sociology of Food and Nutrition, examining cultural practices and food security; and Indigenous Knowledge and Practices. Through his involvement in multiple research projects, he contributes to both academic discourse and social development initiatives.

Kumah, Paul Kwasi, Hubert Bimpeh Asiedu, Charles Obeng & Felix Awuah Obeng Senior. “Poverty as a Catalyst for Cybercrime: Evidence from Agona Swedru, Ghana,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.14 (2024):2582-2596. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451410

© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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