The Online Publishers Association of Ghana (OPAG) has officially cautioned its members and the general public against the publication and sharing of explicit videos involving a Russian national and several Ghanaian women.
In a statement signed by the President, Mr. Michael Petit Mawugbe, following the viral spread of the footage, the association underscored that such actions constitute a serious criminal offense under the laws of the Republic.
The association drew specific attention to the Cyber Security Act, 2020 (Act 1038), which provides a legal framework for prosecuting the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images. According to OPAG, the law targets the use of any electronic means including social media posts, emails, and text messages to disseminate such content.
“OPAG wishes to draw the attention of its members and general public alike that the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) Act still remains in force and is therefore important to adhere to it to avoid falling foul of the law” the statement stated.
They characterized the spread of these videos as a blatant violation of the victims’ dignity and privacy.
The warning comes after a series of viral clips surfaced showing a Russian man allegedly luring Ghanaian females into a hotel room for “sexcording.” This incident has triggered intense national debate regarding the adequacy of current cyber laws and the urgent necessity to protect victims from further exploitation.
OPAG reminded online journalists that professional ethics must never be sacrificed for the sake of speed or clicks. Quoting Joseph Pulitzer, the association noted that ethics is as “sacrosanct as the news itself,” emphasizing that the continued circulation of these images inflicts profound psychological trauma on the victims and their families.
While expressing support for the government’s efforts to extradite the Russian national to face the Ghanaian justice system, OPAG reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sanity in the digital space. The association remains dedicated to partnering with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and other relevant agencies to combat cyberbullying, sextortion, and the spread of misinformation.
Members of the public and online publishers are urged to immediately cease the sharing of the videos to avoid falling foul of the law, as the CSA remains vigilant in enforcing the provisions of Act 1038.