Season 2 Episode 11 (Sextortion; A Growing Threat to Online Safety and Well-being)

Sextortion has become a growing threat in today’s digital world, with perpetrators exploiting victims by threatening to release intimate or sexually explicit materials unless their demands are met. A report from the Cyber Security Authority indicates a high rise of Sextortion in the country, with a total of 365 cases being reported this year. This episode will explore sextortion in detail, including how it works, its impact on victims, the difference in the methods of operation between children and adults, and the legal framework addressing this issue in Ghana. Our guest speaker Nelson Herald Darko has been the Senior Manager of the Child Online Protection department at the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana for six years. A graduate of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration with a Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity, he has developed extensive expertise in both online and offline child protection. His skills encompass policy drafting, report writing, and preparing professional materials that support his department's objectives. In this episode, Nelson draws from his experience to highlight key gaps in the current law on sextortion in Ghana and offer insights on enhancing prevention and response strategies within the Ghanaian society.