The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor, has raised alarm over the growing trend of child sexual exploitation in Ghana, warning that the crime is becoming increasingly prevalent because offenders see it as “easy to commit, difficult to detect and financially rewarding.”
Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, COP Donkor disclosed that the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police and Interpol, had arrested three Ghanaian suspects linked to the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material involving minors in the Ashanti and Bono regions.
According to her, investigations began after Interpol Accra received intelligence from Interpol Canberra and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation Victim Identification Team concerning an Australian national currently standing trial in Australia for child exploitation offences.
“The offender transferred funds to facilitators based in Ghana in exchange for child sexual exploitation material involving victims also located in Ghana,” she stated.
She explained that a joint investigative team from Interpol Accra and the Child Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Unit subsequently arrested two suspects in the Ashanti Region and rescued two victims aged between seven and 13 years. Another suspect was later arrested in the Bono Region, where two additional victims aged six and seven years were rescued.
“All three suspects are currently in police custody assisting investigations while the victims are receiving care and support through DOVVSU in their respective regions,” COP Donkor noted.
The CID boss revealed that some of the suspects were close relatives of the victims, including an older sibling and a mother.
“Sadly, in this particular case, some offenders who were expected under the law to care for and protect the children became the very perpetrators of the abuse,” she said.
COP Donkor stressed that child sexual exploitation remains a serious offence under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038), punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
She assured the public that the police administration was strengthening cooperation with international partners to tackle the growing menace and announced plans to establish more cybercrime and child protection units across the country.
The CID Director-General also commended the Australian Federal Police and local NGO Abuse Relief Corps for supporting investigations and victim care.
“The Ghana Police Service remains committed to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice,” she added.
