With former fetish priestess-turned-evangelist Nana Agradaa now facing charges under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) for the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, public attention is turning toward a pressing but often overlooked digital crime.
This case isn’t just a scandal, it’s a serious legal milestone in the fight for digital privacy, consent, and protection of vulnerable persons. Every Ghanaian, especially active social media users should be aware of what the law says.
Section 67(1) of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) states: “A person shall not, with intent to cause serious emotional distress, intentionally distribute or intentionally cause another person to distribute the intimate image or prohibited visual recording of another identifiable person without the consent of the person depicted in the intimate image and in respect of which, there was a reasonable expectation of privacy, both at the time of the creation of the image or visual recording and at the time the offence was committed.”
In simpler terms, if someone shares your nude or intimate photo without your consent, and they intend to cause harm, shame, or emotional distress, that is a criminal offence under Ghanaian law.
The law also holds accountable those who repost, forward, or otherwise circulate such content—even if they were not the original source. The intent to harm, combined with the breach of privacy, constitutes the offence. Punishment for this offence is not light.
Convicted individuals may face between five and twenty-five years in prison, making this one of the most severe penalties under the Cybersecurity Act. The case involving Nana Agradaa is a reminder that digital actions have legal consequences.
Ghanaian law recognizes digital privacy as a right, and ignorance is not a defense. Citizens must be mindful that sharing someone’s private images without consent could land them in serious legal trouble.
The next time someone shares intimate content with you, ask yourself: Was this shared with permission? Is it ethical to view, forward, or laugh about it? The safest and most lawful choice is to delete it and discourage others from sharing it further.
Remember, ignorance is no excuse before the law.
READ ALSO: Nana Agradaa jailed 15 years: What the law says and who could be next?
