The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations together with the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection has held a joint ministerial meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Ghana over ongoing investigations into an alleged criminal offence involving a Russian national.
In a press release issued on February 18, the Communication Ministry disclosed that the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, together with the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, held a high-level engagement with Russia’s Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Sergei Berdnikov.
The meeting was convened to formally brief the Russian Embassy on investigations into allegations that a Russian national secretly recorded Ghanaian women and distributed the footage online without their consent.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations by Ghana’s cybersecurity and law enforcement agencies indicate that the suspect allegedly recorded private encounters without consent for online publication and monetised the content through digital platforms.
Authorities are currently tracing digital and financial evidence linked to the case.
Government emphasised that the matter is being treated strictly as a criminal offence under Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), which prohibits the non-consensual recording and dissemination of intimate images.
Investigations are also expected to extend to any individuals, whether Ghanaian or foreign, who may have redistributed the material.
Given the cross-border nature of the case, government has activated diplomatic and international law enforcement cooperation mechanisms, including engagement with INTERPOL and other relevant security agencies.
While Ghana respects the sovereign legal processes of the Russian Federation, the government reiterated its constitutional duty to protect its citizens and affirmed that it will pursue all lawful avenues to ensure justice.
The Russian Ambassador acknowledged receipt of the formal brief and indicated that the information would be transmitted to authorities in Moscow. He also noted that although there is no extradition treaty between Ghana and Russia, the alleged conduct would be considered criminal under Russian law and assured continued diplomatic cooperation.
The Ministry further urged the public to refrain from sharing or redistributing the illegal material, warning that such actions constitute criminal offences under Ghanaian law.
Government assured affected victims of its commitment to safeguarding their dignity, privacy, and rights.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has established a victim support desk equipped with clinical professionals to provide psychological and emotional assistance in confidence as investigations continue.
