There are some conversations Ghanaian women know too well.
The “text me when you get home” conversation.
The “send me his car reg ” conversation.
The “don’t leave your drink unattended” conversation.
For years, women in Ghana have quietly adjusted their lives around danger. Not because danger should be normal, but because survival has become part of womanhood.
Recently, reports and allegations involving women being drugged, sexually assaulted, secretly recorded and having videos shared online without their consent have shaken social media in Ghana. And while many people are shocked, many women are not shocked at all. Angry? Yes. Hurt? Definitely. Surprised? Not really.
Because truthfully, women have been warning each other for years.
Some girls know which clubs to avoid.
Some know which men to stay away from.
Some know never to accept drinks they didn’t see being opened themselves.
That is not freedom. That is survival.
And the scary part is how normal these conversations have become.
“Chale, watch your cup o.”
“Don’t go there alone.”
“That guy dey move funny.”
“Text me when you reach.”
These are not jokes anymore.
As a society, we need to stop treating women’s safety like it is only a women’s issue. Because the problem is not women enjoying themselves, or what they choose to wear. The problem is people who believe access to women’s bodies, pictures, privacy and consent can be stolen for entertainment, status or money.
Let’s stop confusing access with consent.
Just because someone came with you, flirted with you, drank with you, or seemed comfortable around you does not mean they owe you their body. And if someone is intoxicated, pressured, fearful or unable to fully agree, that is not consent.
And recording someone without their permission is abuse – full stop.
A lot of young people in Ghana are also growing up in a digital culture where private moments can quickly become public humiliation. One video. One screenshot. One leak. One group chat. One Telegram channel. One “bro code” mentality. And suddenly someone’s trauma becomes entertainment.
Chale, all jokes aside… we really need to talk about this.
Some men need to start checking their friends.
Not every joke is harmless.
Not every “boys will be boys” moment is small.
And not every silence makes you innocent. Sometimes keeping quiet is what protects the problem in the first place.
Because rape culture does not always start with assault. Sometimes it starts with normalising disrespect towards women until violation no longer shocks people. And then people wonder why so many Ghanaian women no longer bother reporting cases of drugging, assault or rape in the first place.
To every young woman reading this: your safety matters. Your boundaries matter. Your “no” matters. And you deserve to enjoy your life without constantly calculating danger.
So yes, go out. Enjoy yourself. Dress up. Dance. Laugh loudly. Live.
But move smart too.
Watch your drink.
Share your location with trusted friends.
Protect each other in bathrooms and clubs.
Don’t let your friend leave with someone when they are heavily intoxicated.
And please – if something feels off, trust your instincts. That feeling is there for a reason.
Ghanaian women deserve safety without conditions. Not only when international attention is involved. Not only when social media becomes loud. Not only when the world is watching.
As the Akan proverb says, “A single bracelet does not jingle.” Protecting women cannot be left to women alone. It requires all of us. Friends protecting friends. Men holding other men accountable. Communities refusing to normalise violence and silence.
We must continue protecting one another loudly, intentionally and without shame.
All women deserve protection.
Ghanaian women included. Period.
If you or someone you know has experienced drink spiking, sexual assault, harassment or feels unsafe, CPY has created a resource page with organisations, clinics and support services across different regions in Ghana that may be able to help. Please do not feel like you have to go through these experiences alone.
Click Here To Download Resources
And if there are trusted organisations, clinics or support services in your area that you believe should be added to our resource list, please get in contact with us so we can continue making this information more accessible to others.
We also understand how difficult these conversations can be. If you have experienced sexual assault, harassment or drink spiking and would like to anonymously share your story to help others feel less alone, CPY would be honoured to hear from you.
