Accra, Ghana | June 17, 2026—Online Publishers Association of Ghana (OPAG) strongly condemns the sharing, distribution, and publishing of sexual videos and images of what has become the Bole SHS sex scandal.
OPAG views this act as unethical, illegal, and violates the fundamental rights and dignity of minors who must be protected at all times.
As Online Practitioners we must exercise restraint and avert our minds to the fact that under Ghanaian law, such conduct is prohibited by: Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, Section 101 on sexual exploitation of children, Children’s Act, 1998 Act 560 – on child protection and the Cyber Security Act, 2020 Act 1038 – on unlawful online content involving children.
The Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) targets the use of posts, emails, text or any other electronic means. The law further states that non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a criminal offence and a clear violation of dignity and privacy of minors.
Online publications of a viral video of a science teacher of Bole SHS having sex with a final year student has triggered conversations around journalistic ethics and our cyber laws and the urgent need for protection of dignity of children.
OPAG wishes to draw the attention of its members and general public alike that the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) law still remains in force and is therefore important to adhere to it to avoid falling foul of it.
As Online Publishers, we must always bear in mind that ethics can not be sacrificed for speed as ethics remains the overarching rudiments of our profession.
As Journalists in the online space, we must reckon that “ethics, as echoed by Joseph Pulitzer is as sacrosanct as the news itself” hence publishing sex images/videos of minors can cause psychological trauma and irreparable harm to the victims and their families.
It is in light of this that OPAG urges all members to cease the publication or sharing of the sex videos. Children deserve safety, privacy, and protection both offline and online. As journalists and citizens, we have a duty to ensure our platforms are not used to perpetuate abuse.
As an Association that prioritizes sanity in the online space and supports the work of CSA, OPAG remains committed to raising awareness in ensuring a safe online space devoid of misinformation, disinformation and cyber crime.
OPAG wishes to express its commitment to partner all relevant agencies on combating cyber bulley, sextortion, misinformation and disinformation.
SIGNED:
Michael Petit Mawugbe
(Efo Mawugbe )
President
0244883575.
