GHANA POLICE ARREST THREE IN INTERNATIONAL CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATION
By Stephen Boakye, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | May 12, 2026
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three Ghanaian suspects in connection with an international investigation involving the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The operation was carried out through collaboration between the Ghana Police Service, Interpol, and the Australian Federal Police following intelligence linked to an Australian offender currently facing trial in Australia.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, May 12, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, explained that the suspects were arrested for the “taking, production, publication and processing of indecent images and videos involving children.”
According to her, intelligence received in January 2026 from Interpol Canberra and the Crimes Against Children Unit of the Interpol General Secretariat revealed that child exploitation material had allegedly been sourced from Ghana.
She disclosed that investigations showed an Australian suspect had transferred money to individuals in Ghana in exchange for exploitative content involving children.
Police investigations later led to the arrest of two suspects in the Ashanti Region and another in the Bono Region.
Authorities also rescued four children between the ages of six and thirteen.
Commissioner Donkor noted that some of the suspects were reportedly close relatives of the victims.
“All three suspects are in police custody, assisting with investigations,” she stated.
The rescued children are currently receiving care and counselling support through DOVVSU and the Abuse Relief Corps.
The CID boss warned that child exploitation remains a serious criminal offence punishable by imprisonment, fines, or both.
She also indicated that cyber-enabled child exploitation crimes are increasing because of “ease of commission, difficulty of detection and financial incentives for offenders.”
Commentary | Stephen Boakye (Triggers)
The involvement of relatives in crimes against vulnerable children is deeply disturbing and exposes the moral collapse taking place in some parts of society. Child protection must become a national priority, not only through arrests but through stronger digital monitoring, community awareness, parental responsibility, and severe punishment for offenders.
