Child Sexual Abuse Materials on the Rise in Ghana

In Ghana, a staggering 45,409 child sexual abuse materials were displayed on the internet between 2023 and 2024, highlighting the alarming rise of this critical issue. According to Madam Hilda Mensah, a UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, these materials often feature extreme violence and can have a devastating impact on the dignity of Ghanaian children. The UNICEF officer emphasized the need for parents and caregivers to educate their children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse, citing the high demand for pornographic materials as a driving force behind these crimes.

Key Takeaways:

• Between 2023 and 2024, 45,409 child sexual abuse materials were displayed on the internet in Ghana.
• These materials were either produced in-country, distributed here, or accessed in Ghana, highlighting the prevalence of the issue.
• Madam Hilda Mensah, a UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, stated that some of these children are even killed after the sexual abuse.
• Parents and caregivers are encouraged to educate their children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and abuse to curb the growing menace.
• High demand for pornographic materials is a significant driver of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Some children, whose images are on the internet, are requested to pay huge amounts of money to their abusers, leading to emotional frustrations and increasing suicide among the affected.
• Madam Mensah emphasized that combating child sexual abuse and exploitation on the internet must become each member of society's burden to save the future of the Ghanaian child.

Statistics:

• 45,409 child sexual abuse materials were displayed on the internet between 2023 and 2024 in Ghana.
• High demand for pornographic materials drives child sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Children whose images are on the internet are often requested to pay huge amounts of money to their abusers, leading to emotional frustrations and increasing suicide among the affected.

Sources:

• Ghana News Agency, 22 Jul 2025