An advocacy group, Apex Citizens, is calling on Ghanaian authorities to urgently ban hookup apps, alleging that they are fueling prostitution and contributing to the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the country.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline, the group’s Public Relations Officer, Peter Donkor, warned that the increasing use of such apps by foreigners poses a growing threat to public health and national security.
“These hookup apps are dangerous. They are being used to expand the sex trade in Ghana, especially by foreigners, many of whom are living here illegally,” Donkor said.
He further alleged that foreigners engaging in commercial sex work through these digital platforms are contributing to the rise in HIV infections. According to him, technology-driven prostitution is far more alarming than street-level sex work.
Call for Government Action
Apex Citizens urged the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations to step in and ban these platforms, describing them as “weapons destroying Ghana’s moral fabric.”
The group also appealed to landlords to investigate potential tenants thoroughly before renting apartments, warning that many undocumented foreigners allegedly use rented spaces for illicit activities.
“We cannot allow foreigners to destroy our country. While our concerns are not limited to Nigerians, they make up the majority of foreigners engaging in these activities,” Donkor stressed.
Immigration and Security Concerns
The group’s Assistant PRO, Carlos Akowah, echoed the call for tighter regulations, insisting that foreigners who wish to stay in Ghana must follow proper legal processes.
“Most suspected criminals paraded on TV are foreigners. They are involved in robbery, kidnapping, scamming, and even killings. We are appealing to the Ghana Immigration Service to act immediately and deport all undocumented foreigners,” Akowah added.
Apex Citizens emphasised that foreign nationals are only permitted to engage in wholesale trade under Ghanaian law and should not be involved in retail or sex-related activities.
The group’s appeal has reignited public debate on the use of hookup apps and their impact on Ghanaian society, with many calling on authorities to take decisive action.
