The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has strongly condemned alleged acts of digital sexual exploitation involving a foreign national accused of engaging in sexual activities with Ghanaian women, secretly recording the encounters and circulating the footage without their consent.

The condemnation follows the circulation of a viral video showing a Russian man identified as Yaytseslav interacting with some Ghanaian women, who later accompanied him to his hotel, after which explicit footage was reportedly shared online.

The incident has triggered widespread public outrage and reignited debate about online exploitation, digital consent and the enforcement of Ghana’s cybersecurity and criminal laws.

Many social media users have called for the arrest and prosecution of the suspect, amid reports suggesting that he may no longer be within Ghana’s jurisdiction.

In a statement issued on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Ministry stressed that the seriousness of the allegations remains unchanged, regardless of the suspect’s reported departure from the country.

“The non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a criminal offence and a clear violation of dignity and privacy,” the statement said. It added that the State remains committed to ensuring accountability through lawful means.

The Ministry disclosed that even before the reports surfaced, it had been collaborating with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Innovations and relevant agencies to strengthen measures against image-based sexual abuse.

“Ongoing interventions include digital safety initiatives, engagement with online platforms, and mechanisms for reporting and taking down abusive content,” the statement noted, adding that these measures are being applied to the current case by the appropriate authorities.

It further revealed that it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service, other security agencies and international partners to explore all lawful options, including cross-border cooperation and mutual legal assistance.

“Support services, including psychosocial care and legal assistance, are being coordinated through confidential channels to ensure privacy and well-being,” the Ministry stated.

It also encouraged the public to report abuse through toll-free helplines — 0800-800-800, 0800-900-900 and 0800-111-222 — and urged citizens to exercise caution in both online and offline interactions.