Shepherd Ali
A National Affairs and Economic Development Analyst, Shepherd Issifu Ali, has strongly condemned attempts by public figures to describe Ghanaian women involved in the viral Russian exploitation scandal as ‘cheap’, calling such remarks reckless, dehumanising, and a dangerous distraction from deeper national failures.
Reacting to comments made by some entertainment pundits over the weekend, Mr. Ali described the remarks as “uncalled for”, demanding a public apology.
According to him, the women caught up in the controversy involving Russian national, Vyacheslav Trahov, should not be reduced to insults or mockery.
“These women are not cheap,” he stated. “What happened reflects exploitation, vulnerability, and systemic weaknesses. A responsible society protects its vulnerable citizens instead of humiliating them.”
Throwing more light on the issue, Mr. Ali argued that secret recordings, manipulation, and digital exposure point to exploitation rather than moral failure.
He warned that shaming victims discourages the reporting of abuse and weakens public trust in institutions.
“When wrongdoing is defended instead of corrected, moral boundaries collapse,” he said. “A nation that humiliates its vulnerable citizens ultimately weakens itself,” he added.
Mr. Ali linked the incident to broader economic conditions, particularly youth unemployment and idleness.
He noted that a lack of opportunity increases emotional and financial vulnerability, making manipulation easier.
“Job creation and dignity are protective social policies, not just economic goals,” he stressed. “When young people have nothing meaningful to do, risk becomes attractive.”
Mr. Ali described the incident as a reflection of Ghana’s struggling economic and moral structures, warning that prolonged hardship can distort decision-making and weaken social resilience.
Exploitative Tourism
He also raised concerns about foreign individuals exploiting local vulnerabilities under the guise of tourism and online content creation.
“Ghana must balance hospitality with protection,” he said. “We cannot open our doors without safeguarding our citizens, especially young women.”
He further questioned how multiple visitors could access residential apartments without proper identification or accountability, describing it as a national security gap.
“If harm occurs, who takes responsibility? Where is the traceability?” he asked, calling for a modern residential security culture in urban Ghana.
Touching on breakdown in family and cultural guidance, Mr. Ali observed that rapid social change has weakened parental supervision and value transmission.
“Many young people are navigating a complex digital world without strong moral or emotional support,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as cultural influences from sections of the entertainment industry, where certain lifestyles portrayed by celebrities do not reflect Ghanaian values.
He warned that non-consensual recording and online distribution cause lasting harm, including psychological trauma and reputational damage that can affect future employment and relationships.
He also called for stronger digital safety education, greater awareness of consent, and strict enforcement of cybercrime laws.
“Protecting dignity in the digital age is now a national responsibility,” he said.
He insisted that the national response must focus on justice, reform, and prevention rather than public humiliation.
“A mature nation responds with compassion and clarity,” he said. “We must correct what is wrong without destroying those already harmed.”
Proposed Solutions
Mr. Ali said in order to help women and the youth in general to avoid exploitation, the government must accelerate youth employment and skills programmes, expand mental health and counselling support as well as strengthen parenting and family education initiatives.
“The country must enforce strict penalties for non-consensual recording and digital distribution,” he added.
Mr. Ali also stressed the need to encourage public figures to model responsible behaviour and promote national dialogue on dignity and respect.
“Push religious institutions toward practical youth protection programmes,” he noted.
He further announced plans to hold a conference to engage women directly and develop practical support mechanisms aimed at empowerment and protection.
“The women involved are not cheap,” he repeated. “What is cheap is a society that mocks its wounded instead of fixing what made them vulnerable,” he pointed out.
He maintained that Ghana must choose between shaming its citizens and reforming its systems.
A Daily Guide Report