By Boakye Stephen | Ghanaian News Canada
A developing controversy in Ghana has triggered widespread public outrage and official scrutiny after viral videos surfaced online allegedly showing a man identified as Yaytseslav, who claims to be Russian, recording private encounters with several Ghanaian women and sharing the content on the internet.
The videos, which began circulating widely on social media around February 12, 2026, reportedly show the man interacting with women in public places, particularly around the Accra Mall area, before later inviting some of them to his apartment. Reports indicate that he allegedly used smart recording devices, including Meta glasses, to capture conversations and private encounters, some reportedly without the women’s consent.
Women Speak Out
Several women seen in the viral videos have now spoken publicly, offering differing accounts of their interactions with the man.
One woman, identified as Dorah, said she believes portions of the videos involving her were edited or misrepresented. She insisted that nothing sexual occurred between her and the man and claimed she only gave him her phone number because he persistently followed her and her friend in public.
“He kept following us and was demanding our numbers, and I didn’t want him to keep following us, so I decided to give him my Ghana number… If you watch the video well, you would realise that he was the one following us,” she said.
Dorah also maintained that although her face appeared in one of the videos, she never went into his apartment and believes the footage may have been manipulated.
Another woman, in a separate video circulating online, admitted she had gone to the man’s bedroom but appealed to the public and her family not to judge her. She said she decided to speak before her own video is released.
“You see the Russian man who lured about 800 women to his bed, all I want to say is that I’m one of them… When the video comes out, please don’t curse me because you don’t know why I followed him to his apartment,” she said.
Investigations Underway
Authorities in Ghana are reportedly taking the matter seriously. The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is expected to investigate the alleged unauthorized recording and distribution of intimate content, which could constitute serious violations of privacy and digital safety laws.
Legal experts say if allegations of non-consensual recording and publication are proven, the suspect could face significant criminal charges under Ghana’s cybercrime and privacy laws.
Public Reaction
The story has sparked intense debate across Ghanaian social media platforms. Many citizens have expressed concern over issues of consent, digital exploitation, and the safety of women in public spaces. Others have called for swift law enforcement action and stronger public awareness about privacy and personal security in the age of wearable recording technology.
The incident also raises broader questions about the use of hidden recording devices, the ethics of online content sharing, and the vulnerability of individuals in seemingly casual public encounters.
Media Law and Ethics Commentary
Beyond the emotional reactions online, this case raises serious concerns under both media law and journalistic ethics in Ghana and globally.
First, if it is established that individuals were secretly recorded and their images or private interactions distributed without informed consent, such actions may violate fundamental privacy rights. Ghana’s legal framework, including provisions relating to cybercrime, data protection, and the unauthorized sharing of intimate content, places strong emphasis on consent, dignity, and the protection of individuals from digital exploitation. Recording someone in a public setting is not automatically illegal, but publishing content that intrudes on a person’s privacy, damages reputation, or exposes intimate circumstances without consent can cross legal and ethical lines.
Second, media practitioners and bloggers must exercise restraint. The viral nature of the videos has led to rapid sharing, commentary, and public shaming. Ethical journalism demands that media houses avoid re-publishing explicit or identifying content that could further harm alleged victims. The principle of minimizing harm, central to media ethics worldwide, requires journalists to balance the public’s right to know with the individual’s right to dignity and privacy. Sensationalism may attract clicks, but it can also destroy lives and compromise investigations.
Third, the issue of consent is not only legal but moral. Even where adults voluntarily meet or interact, recording and distributing such encounters without clear permission erodes trust in public spaces and creates a climate of fear, particularly for women. The use of hidden or wearable recording technology introduces new ethical challenges that society, lawmakers, and media institutions must urgently address.
Fourth, public reaction must be guided by caution. Social media trials, insults, and harassment directed at individuals appearing in the videos risk victimizing people further and undermining due process. Media law emphasizes the presumption of innocence and the need to avoid defamation. Until investigations are completed, both the accused and those appearing in the footage deserve fair treatment under the law.
Finally, this incident should serve as a national wake-up call on digital literacy and personal safety. In an era where cameras can be concealed in glasses, phones, and everyday objects, the public must be more aware of privacy risks. At the same time, authorities must strengthen enforcement mechanisms and public education on consent-based recording and online distribution.
Responsible journalism must inform without inflaming, expose wrongdoing without exploiting victims, and protect the dignity of all parties while the law takes its course.
A Call for Caution
As investigations continue, authorities and social commentators are urging the public to avoid harassment of individuals appearing in the videos and to allow due process to take its course. Advocacy groups are also calling for greater education on digital consent and personal safety.
Ghana News Canada will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more verified information emerges from law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
