Ministry condemns growing trend of sexual blackmail and non-consensual recordings

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has condemned the growing circulation of intimate images and videos without consent, warning that perpetrators and those who deliberately share or repost such material could face legal consequences. It has also urged the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to investigate reported cases of indecent exposure, non-consensual recording and sexual blackmail, and take appropriate action against persons found to have broken the law.

In a press statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, the Ministry expressed concern over recurring incidents involving the unauthorised recording and distribution of intimate encounters, threats to publish private images and videos, and other forms of technology-facilitated sexual abuse. It said the conduct violated the dignity, privacy and safety of affected persons and could expose victims to humiliation, intimidation, psychological distress, reputational damage and further exploitation.

The Ministry stressed that consent to an intimate relationship or sexual encounter did not amount to permission to record, publish or publicly expose the encounter. “Equally, no individual has the right to use intimate images, videos or personal information to threaten, extort, humiliate or exercise control over another person,” it stated. Reposting intimate content also attracts consequences The Ministry expressed particular concern about the practice of circulating private images and videos on social media, sometimes accompanied by ridicule, sensational commentary and public humiliation.

It said such conduct compounded the harm suffered by victims and amounted to a further violation of their privacy and dignity. It cautioned that the deliberate circulation or republication of intimate material without consent could also attract legal consequences, urging social media users, bloggers and content creators to exercise restraint. “Public interest in an incident does not justify further violations of the privacy and dignity of the persons involved,” the statement said.

The Ministry cited the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), as part of Ghana’s legal framework for addressing indecent conduct, sexual exploitation, sexual extortion and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Victims urged to report incidents The Ministry called on victims and survivors, irrespective of gender, not to give in to threats or intimidation but to report incidents to the appropriate authorities and seek assistance and protection.

It urged the police and other relevant agencies to investigate reported cases thoroughly while safeguarding victims and respecting due process. The statement also appealed to members of the public to avoid sharing, reposting or amplifying intimate images and videos, warning that doing so could deepen the distress and humiliation of those affected. The Ministry said it remained committed to public education, promoting responsible digital behaviour, supporting victims and survivors, and working with relevant institutions to prevent sexual exploitation, indecent exposure and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse.

It reiterated that privacy, dignity and bodily autonomy must be respected and that no one should be subjected to humiliation, exploitation or blackmail through the misuse of intimate material.