Ghana News
Wanted: INTERPOL Red Notice Activated for Russian ‘Pick-up Artist’ Who Secretly Recorded, Distributed Intimate Videos of Ghana Women
Ghana has formally activated the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to pursue an international arrest warrant against a Russian national accused of secretly recording intimate encounters with Ghanaian women and distributing the footage online without their consent, the government confirmed on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The suspect has been identified through official passport documentation as Vladislav Aleksandrovich Liulkov, a 36-year-old Russian citizen born on September 19, 1989.

His passport, bearing number 77 7784005 and issued by Russian authorities on December 9, 2025, was published by Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation Minister Samuel Nartey George on Facebook following a verification process conducted with the Russian Embassy in Accra.
The confirmation resolved several days of public speculation about the suspect’s identity and nationality after social media users questioned whether the name circulating in early reports matched a typical Russian name.

Criminal Allegations and Legal Framework
Authorities say preliminary investigations indicate that some of the material may have been monetized on digital platforms, adding a financial exploitation dimension to the criminal allegations beyond the initial privacy violations. Minister George described the alleged conduct as “atrocious” and stated that it constitutes a clear criminal offense under Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) , which prohibits the non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images and carries penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment depending on the specific charges.
The government said it has taken steps to trace and secure relevant digital and financial evidence linked to the publication of the footage. Several affected women have filed formal complaints with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, and those complaints are being actively processed.
Diplomatic Dimensions and INTERPOL Activation
The case carries a significant diplomatic dimension. The Russian Ambassador to Ghana indicated that extradition is currently not a possibility, as Russia rarely extradites its own citizens.
However, Minister George confirmed that by activating INTERPOL protocols, Ghana has established a legal mechanism to hold Liulkov accountable should he travel outside Russian territory. Authorities are simultaneously preparing for possible proceedings in absentia should the suspect fail to appear before Ghanaian courts.
Wider Regional Impact
Officials also addressed a particularly distressing element of the case. Cybersecurity investigators found that certain women whose images appeared in the circulated material had no intimate encounter with the suspect at all. Some had only brief casual interactions with him in public spaces such as shopping malls, yet their images were later published in a context that falsely suggested intimate involvement.
Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed it is also investigating reports that the same individual targeted women in Nairobi, widening the scope of the case to a regional cross-border incident.
Government Response and Victim Support
Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey announced that a dedicated victim support desk has been established, staffed by clinical professionals offering psychological and emotional assistance to affected women, their families, and close relations. The support programme operates under the directive of President John Dramani Mahama and covers anyone emotionally impacted by the case. The Ministry’s toll-free helplines are 0800 800 800, 0800 900 900, and 0800 111 222. All services are offered in strict confidence.
Public Warning
The public has been formally warned that sharing or redistributing the intimate material constitutes a criminal offense under Ghanaian law and will attract prosecution.
International Cooperation and Next Steps
As INTERPOL member countries receive notification of the warrant, Ghanaian authorities continue gathering evidence and coordinating with international partners. The case represents a significant test of cross-border cooperation in combating technology-facilitated sexual abuse and underscores the growing challenges posed by digital platforms in an interconnected world.
For the affected women and their families, the pursuit of justice now extends beyond Ghana’s borders, carried forward by the reach of international law enforcement cooperation and the determination of a nation to protect its citizens from harm, wherever the perpetrators may flee.
Ghana News
MTN Ghana Reveals Massive Fiber Cable Sabotage Crisis Disrupting 157 Network Sites
Accra, Ghana – MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett has raised serious concerns about the escalating wave of fiber-optic cable sabotage and damage, revealing that recent incidents have knocked 157 network sites offline and severely degraded service for millions of customers across the country.
Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, Blewett described fiber cuts as one of the biggest operational challenges currently facing the company.
He explained that because fiber cables serve as the critical backbone linking multiple cell towers to the core network, a single cut — often caused by road construction or deliberate theft — can trigger widespread connectivity failures across entire suburbs and commercial areas.
“It’s not really just talking about cutting fiber to someone’s home,” he said. “When you cut fiber, you bring down all those sites, and that’s problematic.”
The disruptions are driven by two main factors: uncoordinated road expansion works and acts of vandalism or theft. Blewett noted that such incidents are not minor inconveniences but major threats to reliability, affecting businesses, hospitals, emergency services, and everyday users.
Despite MTN’s heavy investment in 4G and 5G infrastructure, the physical vulnerability of the fiber network continues to undermine service quality.
The CEO called for fiber-optic cables to be classified as Critical National Infrastructure to impose stricter legal penalties and urged better coordination between construction agencies and telecom operators.
As Ghana pushes its Digital Ghana agenda, analysts say resolving this “perennial headache” is essential for maintaining a robust and reliable digital economy.
Ghana News
Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’, MTN Reveals Massive Fiber Sabotage and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We are bringing you the most relevant stories from Ghana today to keep you updated. Stories include an interesting dispute between a woman and her UK-based partner, revelations about major telecom infrastructure sabotage, health alerts on Mpox, and other key national developments.
Woman Demands GH¢150,000 from UK ‘Borga’ After He Allegedly Failed to Marry Her
Esther Latebia, a mother of two from Kasoa, is demanding GH¢150,000 in compensation from Mr Osei, a UK-based Ghanaian known locally as a “borga,” after he allegedly failed to honour his promise of marriage following a six-year romantic relationship conducted mainly through video calls. According to her account shared on Nhyira FM’s Obra Show, Mr Osei promised to build her a house, buy her a taxi for work, waive her rent until the house was completed, and support her two children until they completed tertiary education or found jobs. He also promised to marry her as his second wife. After six years, he reportedly changed his mind and withdrew all commitments, leaving her feeling used and seeking redress.
Read the full story here
A Muslim Woman’s Vision of the Second Coming of Jesus: A 30-Year Burden Finally Told
A 69-year-old Muslim woman from Ghana has finally shared a powerful spiritual vision she received in the 1990s about the second coming of Jesus Christ, a 30-year secret she kept due to fear, community pressure, and misunderstanding from both Muslims and Christians. In the vision, she stood in a massive global market where people were trading gold, diamonds, and engaging in various activities when a divine presence behind her instructed her to tell the world that “Jesus Christ is coming — very soon.” Despite the urgent message echoing across the market, no one seemed to notice or listen. The experience left her in uncontrollable tears the next morning, leading to years of isolation as she struggled to understand why, as a Muslim, she would receive such a message.
Read the full story here
157 Sites Disrupted – MTN CEO Reveals Massive Scale of Fibre Cable Sabotage
MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett has revealed that recent fibre-optic cable sabotage has knocked 157 network sites offline, causing widespread connectivity failures across multiple suburbs and affecting millions of customers. Speaking at the MTN Ghana Accra Media and Stakeholder Forum on April 17, 2026, he described fibre cuts — caused by uncoordinated road construction and deliberate theft or vandalism — as a “serious threat” to seamless service delivery. The interconnected nature of the infrastructure means a single cut can bring down numerous cell towers, disrupting businesses, hospitals, and emergency services. MTN is advocating for fibre-optic cables to be classified as “Critical National Infrastructure” to impose stricter penalties and is calling for better coordination of construction schedules.
Read the full story here
CHASS Warns Schools May Shut Down Over Free SHS Feeding Crisis
The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has warned that many Senior High Schools could be forced to shut down if the current crisis in the Free SHS feeding programme is not urgently addressed. School heads report severe delays in the release of feeding grants, leaving them unable to provide meals for students and forcing some schools to rely on credit from suppliers. The situation has created significant operational challenges and raised concerns about the sustainability of the flagship education policy. CHASS is calling on the government to release outstanding funds immediately to prevent further disruption to academic activities.
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Ghana’s NTEs Hit $5.006 Billion in 2025
Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) reached a record $5.006 billion in 2025, representing a more than 30% increase compared to the previous year, according to the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. Launching the 2025 Ghana Export Promotion Authority report in Accra, the minister described the growth as strong evidence that the country’s export diversification agenda is gaining momentum. NTEs now account for about 16% of Ghana’s total export earnings, signalling a gradual shift away from heavy dependence on traditional commodities like gold, oil, and cocoa. The government continues to support exporters through improved production capacity, quality standards, and access to finance via the Ghana EXIM Bank.
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Vice President Opoku-Agyemang in Spain to Participate in Fourth High-Level Meeting
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has arrived in Barcelona, Spain, to participate in the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the Initiative “In Defence of Democracy.” She was received by members of the Ghanaian community in Spain, led by Ghana’s Ambassador to Spain, Madam Kalsoume Sinare Baffoe. The Vice President is expected to join global leaders in high-level discussions focused on strengthening democratic governance and advancing collective efforts to safeguard democratic values worldwide.
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Ghana Health Service Confirms Over 1,000 Cases of Mpox
The Ghana Health Service has confirmed four new cases of Mpox, bringing the national total to 1,062 as of April 11, 2026. No new hospital admissions have been recorded, while the death toll remains at eight. Surveillance is ongoing across all 16 regions, with health teams actively monitoring to prevent further spread. Mpox is transmitted mainly through close physical contact, and the public has been advised to maintain strict hygiene, avoid contact with unusual rashes, and seek early medical care for flu-like symptoms.
Read the full story here
Ghana News
Ghana to Open New Embassy in Singapore in Bid To Strengthen Trade Ties with Asia
Accra, Ghana – The Government of Ghana has formally initiated high-level diplomatic engagements with Singapore to establish a permanent embassy in the Asian financial and technology hub, marking a strategic expansion of its global diplomatic presence.
The announcement follows a working visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson to Singapore from April 10 to 15, 2026.
During discussions with Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Ghana officially conveyed its intention to open a resident mission.
The proposed embassy aims to enhance consular services for Ghanaian nationals, facilitate trade and investment flows, and deepen institutional cooperation in technology, capacity building, and economic development.
This move forms part of a broader foreign policy drive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish new diplomatic missions and permanent chanceries in strategic locations, while reducing heavy reliance on rented premises that currently cost the state around $15 million annually.
Earlier commitments outlined at the 2025 Conference of Heads of Mission include opening missions in Massachusetts (USA), Dublin (Ireland), Lisbon (Portugal), and Singapore by 2026. Recent developments under this agenda include the opening of a new chancery in Ethiopia in February and planned missions in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Serbia, and Hungary.
Singaporean authorities welcomed the proposal and expressed strong commitment to expanding bilateral ties with Ghana. Officials from both sides see the new mission as a platform to boost South-South cooperation and tap into Asia’s dynamic economic opportunities.
The establishment of the embassy is expected to be completed within the government’s 2026 diplomatic expansion timeline.
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