Gender Ministry warns against sharing intimate images without consent

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has issued an alert regarding the rising cases of inappropriate exposure, unauthorized recordings, and sexual blackmail. In a press release dated November 6, 2026, officials expressed grave concern over the illicit dissemination of private photos and videos on social media and digital platforms.

They emphasized that explicit consent to a romantic or sexual encounter does not automatically grant permission to record or publicly expose the participants. The Ministry stressed that no person has the legal authority to utilize personal images, videos, or data to coerce, extort, humiliate, or exert control over another individual.

They reminded the public that these actions could be considered criminal offenses under Ghanaian law, specifically the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). Furthermore, the Ministry warned that sharing such intimate materials online could lead to additional legal repercussions. They urged law enforcement agencies, particularly the Ghana Police Service, to diligently investigate reported cases and impose penalties on offenders while safeguarding victims and adhering to due process.

The Ministry also appealed to victims and survivors, irrespective of gender, to resist threats or intimidation and instead report these crimes to the appropriate authorities to receive necessary support and protection. Content creators, bloggers, and other social media users were cautioned against sharing, reposting, or amplifying intimate images and videos without explicit consent.

The Ministry stressed that public interest or curiosity in an incident does not warrant further infringement upon an individual's privacy and dignity.