Russian tourist video scandal creates negative global image for Ghanaian women — Mercy Abada
Abada said the incident has created a negative perception about Ghanaian women internationally.
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team for the Navrongo Central Constituency, Mercy Abada, has condemned the widely circulated video allegedly involving a Russian tourist and some Ghanaian women, describing the incident as unfortunate and damaging to the country’s image.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Wednesday, February 18, Abada said the incident has created a negative perception about Ghanaian women internationally.
“It is condemnable. It is something I wish were not true because it has created a bad impression about Ghanaian women to the world,” she stated, expressing her deep disappointment over the matter.
While empathising with the women involved, Abada attributed the situation partly to the lure of material gain and misconceptions surrounding foreign nationals.
“There is a perception that white men have money, so once he made promises, some may have thought it was their opportunity to acquire the latest iPhone, travel abroad, or live a flashy lifestyle. The desire to match the achievements of friends, owning a car or living in a good area in Accra, can sometimes cloud judgment,” she explained.
However, she also criticised what she described as the blanket condemnation of Ghanaian women following the incident. According to her, such generalisations are unfair and ignore the broader societal issues at play.
“Those who have joined the bandwagon to label Ghanaian women as cheap or immoral should be careful. If the situation were reversed and it involved a white woman making similar promises, many men could also have fallen victim,” she argued.
Abada urged women, particularly young women, to draw lessons from the controversy and exercise greater caution in their interactions, especially in an era where technology and social media can easily expose private matters to global audiences.
She further called for a more measured public discourse that avoids stereotyping and instead focuses on promoting responsible behaviour and safeguarding the country’s reputation.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna
