By Benjamin Commey
Accra, Feb. 18, GNA – The Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals (GAPP) has condemned the reported non-consensual recording and publication of intimate videos and photographs of Ghanaian women by a foreign national.
In a statement issued in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the association described the alleged acts as a grave violation of privacy and personal dignity.
“No individual should have their private moments recorded or shared without consent.
“Behind every illegally recorded image is a Ghanaian woman, a sister, a daughter, a friend, whose life has been turned upside down,” GAPP said.
The association expressed solidarity with the affected women, acknowledging the pain, trauma and public humiliation they were enduring.
“Their fundamental right to privacy, enshrined in our Constitution and protected by the Data Protection Act (Act 843), has been brutally violated.
“The distribution of such sensitive personal data without explicit, informed consent is a flagrant and unforgivable offence,” it stated.
GAPP noted that under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), identifiable images and video recordings constituted personal data, while intimate content qualified as sensitive personal data requiring explicit consent before lawful processing.
It said that the alleged recording, storage and publication of such material without consent may also amount to offences under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), including unlawful interference with privacy and cyber harassment.
The association called on the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, the Data Protection Commission, the Cyber Security Authority, the National Communications Authority and law enforcement agencies to conduct “swift and thorough investigations” and ensure enforcement of the law.
“We urge the relevant state institutions to act without delay to protect victims and uphold the integrity of Ghana’s digital ecosystem,” the statement said.
GAPP appealed to digital platforms to cooperate in removing unlawful content and strengthening safeguards to prevent similar abuses.
It also cautioned the public against viewing, downloading or redistributing the material, warning that such actions could further harm victims and expose individuals to legal consequences.
“Victims of non-consensual image sharing are encouraged to report incidents promptly to the appropriate authorities and affected platforms,” GAPP said.
Reaffirming its commitment to data protection and digital responsibility, the association said it would continue to support public awareness efforts and collaborate with stakeholders to promote safer and more ethical use of technology in Ghana’s digital society.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey