By Ngozi Agu
ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, have formally engaged Russia’s ambassador in Accra over investigations into a Russian national accused of secretly recording Ghanaian women and distributing the footage online without consent.
The ministers said they presented available evidence concerning Vladislav Luilkov to Ambassador Sergei Berdnikov, reiterating Ghana’s resolve to pursue all legal avenues to enforce Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), which criminalizes the non-consensual recording and dissemination of intimate images.
“Working with the Ghana Police CID, we have activated international legal action through INTERPOL to ensure that once the individual sets foot outside Russia, we have a legal route to make him answer for his actions within Ghana,” George said in a statement following the meeting.
A joint ministerial release said the engagement formed part of broader government efforts to protect citizens and ensure accountability in what authorities are treating strictly as a cybercrime under Ghanaian law. Preliminary investigations indicate the suspect allegedly recorded private encounters without consent and monetized the material via online platforms. Authorities are tracing digital and financial evidence linked to the case and warned that anyone who redistributes the material could face prosecution.
The Russian ambassador acknowledged receipt of Ghana’s formal brief and said the information would be transmitted to authorities in Moscow. He noted that while Ghana and Russia have no extradition treaty, the alleged conduct would also be considered criminal under Russian law, and assured continued diplomatic cooperation, the release said.
Officials urged the public to refrain from sharing or circulating the illicit content, stressing that such acts constitute offences under Ghanaian law. The government of John Dramani Mahama said it remains committed to safeguarding citizens’ dignity and privacy and will provide updates as investigations progress. Victims have been directed to support services established by the Gender Ministry.
