Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Sheila Bartels, has urged government institutions to take decisive action to protect women from digital exploitation following the recent Russian video scandal.
In a social media post, the former legislator described the incident as “a disturbing and modern form of exploitation,” warning that it goes beyond being “just another viral controversy.”
“The Russian video scandal exposes a disturbing and modern form of exploitation digital privacy violations and technology-enabled abuse. We cannot pretend this is just another viral controversy,” she wrote.
Sheila Bartels noted that although Ghana has legal frameworks such as the Cybersecurity Act and the Data Protection Act, weak enforcement continues to undermine their effectiveness.
“Laws on paper mean little if we fail to actively enforce them and educate women about their rights,” she stated.
She further challenged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to move beyond public statements and implement practical measures.
“The Ministry responsible for protecting women must move beyond statements and push real education, prevention strategies, and accessible support systems,” she added.
According to her, the scandal should be viewed as a critical test of Ghana’s readiness to safeguard women in an increasingly digital environment.
“This scandal is not just about one foreign national. It is a serious test of whether Ghana’s institutions are truly prepared to protect women in a fast-changing digital world,” she noted.
While acknowledging that the Gender Ministry has condemned the incident and promised coordination, Ms. Bartels insisted that stronger action is needed.
“Condemnation is not enough. The urgency, strength, and visibility of the response matter,” she stressed.
She also referenced constitutional provisions on human dignity and equality, arguing that they impose clear responsibilities on the State.
“These are not symbolic words; they impose a duty on the State to actively protect women in both physical and digital spaces,” she wrote.
Calling for proactive governance, the former MP said Ghanaians expect more than reactive measures after public backlash.
“As citizens, we expect more than reactions after public outrage. We expect prevention… Our institutions must become a shield against exploitation — not a voice that speaks only after harm has already gone viral,” she noted.
A Russian national, Yaytseslav Trahov, described by some local and foreign media outlets as a “pick-up artist” in his thirties,travelled to Ghana and filmed encounters with women using hidden recording devices. He shared the footages on social media platforms and a paid Telegram channel.
Ghanaian authorities have since launched investigations into the matter, following formal complaints from about 40 women. Some of the complainants allege they were unaware they were being recorded, while others say they consented to private encounters but did not agree to any form of publication.
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has confirmed that he has summoned the Russian Ambassador to a meeting in Accra to discuss the allegations and seek cooperation from Russian authorities.
According to Sam George, the government intends to pursue the suspect through international law enforcement channels, including Interpol, and may formally request his extradition if he is confirmed to have left Ghana.
