The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ghana, His Excellency Sergei Berdnikov, was summoned on Tuesday over the unlawful conduct of a supposed Russian national accused of publishing sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women without their consent.
The summons, issued under the instruction of the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, was intended to convey the Government of Ghana’s strong displeasure at the act, which constitutes a violation of Ghanaian law. Authorities also sought the cooperation of Russia in pursuing justice and ensuring the individual is held accountable.
During the meeting, Ambassador Berdnikov acknowledged the violation of the privacy and dignity of the victims, as well as the broader cybercrime implications, and expressed the Russian Federation’s willingness to collaborate with Ghanaian authorities. However, he noted that the nationality of the individual involved has not been confirmed, and the purported name circulating in the media does not correspond to a recognised Russian name, but rather represents an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language.
The Ambassador further highlighted that the individual’s activities in other countries had been brought to the attention of Russian authorities and were under investigation by Russian experts. Ambassador Berdnikov assured that the Embassy in Ghana is prepared to share relevant information to support Ghana’s ongoing efforts to apprehend the suspect, despite the absence of a legally binding extradition treaty between the two nations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to leverage the cordial bilateral relations between Ghana and Russia, stating that all available international tools and remedies will be explored to ensure justice is served. The Government also reassured the public that it is dedicated to protecting the privacy, dignity, and safety of its citizens while pursuing accountability for unlawful cyber activities.
This incident underscores the growing global challenge of cross-border cybercrime and the importance of international cooperation in safeguarding the rights and security of individuals in the digital era.