Police warn of prosecution as deepfake suspects arrested over President Mahama videos.
The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public against the creation and circulation of artificial intelligence-generated deepfake content, warning that offenders risk prosecution under Ghanaian law.
The warning was issued at a press briefing in Accra on March 30, 2026, and applies to individuals who share or forward unverified videos and images on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok.
A deepfake is digitally manipulated content — including video, audio or images — created using artificial intelligence to appear authentic. The technology can convincingly mimic a person’s face, voice or actions, making it seem as though they said or did something they never did.
Police intensify digital surveillance
The Director-General of the Public Affairs Directorate, DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the Service had enhanced its online monitoring systems and would take firm action against offenders.
“Creating, sharing, or promoting deepfake or fraudulent content targeting public figures constitutes a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana,” DCOP Ansah-Akrofi said.
She added that the police had increased their online presence and patrols, and would continue to arrest and prosecute individuals who use digital platforms to spread false information, defraud the public or undermine state institutions.
Two arrested over Mahama deepfake videos
The warning coincided with the arrest of two suspects linked to the production and circulation of deepfake videos impersonating President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama.
Police said that from March 26, 2026, manipulated videos of the President were circulated on Facebook, while similar content impersonating the First Lady appeared across TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp. The videos were allegedly used to solicit investment funds from the public.
Following digital forensic analysis and surveillance by the Criminal Investigations Department’s Cybercrime Enforcement Team, two suspects were arrested on March 28, 2026.
The first suspect, Ben Affegensa, 41, also known online as Charisee Quentin, was identified through analysis of the social media accounts involved. He was initially tracked to Kasoa in the Central Region and later arrested at Kuproti.
The second suspect, Michael Yogosa, was arrested the same day at a family funeral after hours of surveillance. Police said he is linked to a separate network of Facebook accounts used to impersonate the First Lady.
Both suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
Legal backing and public caution
Although no specific law was cited during the briefing, provisions under the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) criminalise the publication and sharing of false or misleading digital content, as well as unauthorised access to data. Offences under the Act may attract fines or custodial sentences.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi urged the public to exercise caution when engaging with online content, particularly material involving public figures promoting investment opportunities or making public statements.
“The public is cautioned to exercise discernment in the consumption and sharing of social media content, and to verify information before sharing from fake accounts,” she said.
She further advised victims of such fraudulent schemes to report to the Cybercrime Enforcement Team of the CID or the nearest police station.
Other arrests
In a related development, the police said a suspect, Mr John Kwabena Owusu-Hadza, 49, was arrested at about 2 a.m. on March 27, 2026, in the Ashanti Region following a petition by the Judicial Service of Ghana over a viral video in which he allegedly threatened a High Court judge, Justice Patricia Fosu.
Police also confirmed the arrest of Eric Kenny, 40, in connection with the murder of Eno Kukri, 56, who was stabbed at his farm cottage in Suhum in the Eastern Region on February 13, 2026. The suspect is said to have issued threats to the deceased before the incident and fled the area before his arrest on March 28, 2026.
In a separate case, four suspects, including an alleged American national identified as Justin Madden, have been arrested over a series of robberies targeting jewellery shops in Accra and Takoradi between April 2025 and March 2026. Police said the value of items stolen in five incidents exceeds GH¢24 million, while a receiver identified only as “Oyarifa” remains at large.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi commended officers involved in the operations and acknowledged members of the public who provided intelligence leading to the arrests. She urged continued cooperation in reporting suspicious activities.
