The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has outlined a broad inter-ministerial and international collaboration to address the alleged cybercrime involving the non-consensual publication of intimate images.
In her interview with the BBC, she emphasised that the matter cuts across several state institutions.
“So if you look at the work of the Ministry, it’s cross-sectorial,” she explained.
“In this particular case you are looking at a collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and all others. In fact the Russian Embassy inclusive.”
She added that such coordination ensures that both domestic and international legal processes are properly activated.
Addressing the possible charges the suspect could face under Ghanaian law, the Minister pointed to the role of the Cyber Security Authority.
“Sitting with the Ministry of Communication is the Cyber Security Authority that is established by the Cyber Security Act 2020 and this Cyber Security Authority has a clear mandate to regulate cyber security activities and prevent cyber crimes such as this,” she noted, signalling that legal provisions exist to prosecute online abuse and related offences.
The Minister also assured Ghanaians that the government is taking proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The intention is for us to be a bit more proactive,” she said, revealing that even before the incident, her Ministry had begun working with the Communication Ministry to form a technical working committee to address emerging cyber issues.
She further highlighted that in 2025, the Ministry of Gender campaigned on the theme ‘United Against Digital Violence Against Women and Girls’ in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund and other stakeholders nationwide.
“It’s part of our efforts to focus on the rising concerns over online abuse including cyber bullying,” she said.
On international coordination, she added, “Yes, that is where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs comes in… to ensure that we bring this perpetrator to book.”