NCCE, CAMFED Ghana and SKYY Mother of the Year Initiative Educate Female Students on Online Sextortion

The Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged selected female students from five schools on the dangers of online sextortion. The sensitisation formed part of activities for the SKYY Mother of the Year initiative organised by Mrs. Monica Nyarkoh, winner of the SKYY Mother of the Year Award.

Addressing the students, an Assistant Director of the NCCE, Mr. Yusif Usman, explained that sextortion is a form of online blackmail in which a person threatens to share private sexual images or videos with family, friends or the public unless the victim provides money, more explicit content or sexual favours. He identified jealousy, revenge, peer pressure, anger and inadequate parental supervision among factors that may contribute to such incidents.

Mr. Usman further highlighted the serious emotional, social, psychological and academic effects sextortion can have on victims, including sadness, anxiety, fear and low self-esteem. He urged the students to avoid sharing private images or videos, use strong passwords on social media platforms and report suspicious activities to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. He also encouraged them to contact the Cyber Security Authority through its 292 reporting line for assistance.

At the end of the programme, CAMFED Ghana, of whose committee the NCCE is a member, adopted JHS 3 student Faustina Addisson of Effia Methodist JHS for support following her outstanding performance in summarising the key lessons from the engagement.