The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, has held a joint press briefing to update the public on ongoing investigations into the alleged case of digital exploitation involving a foreign national.
Addressing the media, both Ministers stated the matter is being treated strictly as a cybercrime investigation under Ghana’s cyber security laws.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the national cyber security and law enforcement agencies indicate that the suspect allegedly recorded private encounters without consent and subsequently disseminated and monetized the content through online platforms.
Government has since initiated processes to trace and secure relevant digital and financial evidence, led by the Cybersecurity Authority. Both Ministers also disclosed that they had engaged the Russian Ambassador to Ghana to formally brief him on the status of investigations and submit a diplomatic communication on the matter.
During the engagement Government reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of Ghanaian citizens and ensuring accountability for crimes committed against them.
The two Ministries stressed that investigations are not limited to the foreign national alone. Any individual, including Ghanaian citizens, found to have shared, rebroadcast, downloaded or monetized the illegal material will be liable to prosecution under Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
Communications Minister, Sam George & Gender Minister, Dr. Naa Momo Lartey address media on Digital Exploitation in Ghana.The public was therefore cautioned against circulating or engaging with such content as doing so constitutes a criminal offence.
To support victims affected by this act, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has established a fully equipped victim support desk staffed with clinical professionals to provide comprehensive psychological and emotional care. All support services will be delivered in strict confidence.
The public is encouraged to contact the Ministry through its toll-free lines on 0800-800-800/0800-900-900 or 0800-111-222 to lodge complaints and report cases of abuse and violence.
