Accra: Over 45,409 child sexual abuse materials were recorded on the Internet within the Ghanaian cyber space between 2023 and 2024.

According to Ghana News Agency, these materials were either produced in-country, distributed, or accessed within Ghana, highlighting a significant challenge in combating child exploitation online.

Madam Hilda Mensah, a Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF, emphasized during a training session on 'Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse' for Ghana Police investigators that these materials often entail extreme violence, severely impacting the dignity and safety of children in Ghana. She pointed out the grave consequences, stating, "Some of these children are even killed after the sexual abuse."

Madam Mensah urged parents and caregivers to educate their children about the dangers of sexual exploitation in the cyber space. She highlighted that the demand for pornographic materials fuels these crimes and advocated for Ghanaians to refrain from consuming adult pornography, warning that while adults consume such content, children are being exploited and recorded for sale.

The UNICEF specialist called for collective responsibility in addressing the issue, stressing that the battle against child sexual abuse and exploitation online should be a societal concern to protect the future of Ghanaian children. Furthermore, she noted that victimized children are sometimes extorted for money by their abusers, exacerbating emotional distress and leading to increased suicide rates among affected individuals.