The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a warning to the public to desist from sharing sexually explicit videos and images involving children, describing the act as a serious criminal offence punishable under Ghana’s laws.
In a statement on Monday, December 15, the Authority said it had received reports of sexually explicit videos and photographs of some Senior High School students circulating on online platforms.
The CSA reminded the public that the sharing of indecent images or videos of children constitutes a criminal offence under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
According to the Authority, Section 62 of the Act expressly prohibits any person from taking, producing, publishing, streaming, or possessing indecent images or photographs of a child on a computer system or electronic device, including mobile phones.
The statement further noted that any individual, blogger, or institution found circulating such sexually explicit material involving children faces a jail term of not less than five years and not more than ten years.
The Authority urged members of the public who receive such content to immediately delete it and refrain from forwarding or reposting it.
It also called on the public to report individuals or platforms involved in the circulation of such material to the appropriate cybersecurity and cybercrime reporting channels.
The CSA encouraged the public to report cybercrime and cybersecurity incidents by texting or calling 292, contacting 0501603111, or sending an email to report@csa.gov.gh.