An advocacy group known as Apex Citizens has called on Ghanaian authorities, particularly the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, to take immediate action against “hookup apps.”
The group alleges that these applications are being used by foreigners to expand the commercial sex trade within the country.
Mr. Peter Donkor, the group’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the influx of foreigners has not only affected local retail activities but has also led to a significant expansion of prostitution.
He lamented that many of these foreigners are engaged in commercial sex work using these apps, and he urged authorities to act immediately.
Appearing on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline, Mr. Donkor directly appealed to the Ministry of Communications to address the issue.
“These hookups are dangerous,” he said. “They are being used to expand the sex trade in Ghana, especially by foreigners living here illegally.”
He claimed that the apps are a major factor contributing to a surge in new HIV infections and other sexually transmitted infections.
“The use of technology has increased prostitution,” he asserted. “The level of prostitution through the hookup apps is alarming and scarier than street prostitution.”
Mr. Donkor also called on landlords to be more vigilant and conduct proper investigations before renting apartments to foreigners, many of whom he claimed are undocumented and living in Ghana illegally while committing various crimes.
Concerns Over Retail and Crime
The group has scheduled a protest walk for Saturday, September 6, 2025, to rally against what they describe as an “influx of foreigners taking over retail activities” and engaging in criminal acts such as commercial sex work, kidnapping, and robbery.
He clarified that while their focus is not exclusively on Nigerians, they represent the majority of foreigners in the country.
“We cannot allow foreigners to destroy our country. Other countries have allowed foreigners to destroy their countries, but as Ghanaians, we cannot allow that to go on. While our focus is not only on Nigerians, they are in the majority among the foreigners here in Ghana,” he told host Kwabena Agyapong.
Carlos Akowah, the Assistant Public Relations Officer, who accompanied Mr. Donkor, added that foreigners who wish to reside in Ghana must follow the established legal processes and obtain the necessary documentation. He also reiterated that foreigners are restricted to wholesale trade and cannot engage in retail activities.
Mr. Akowah appealed to all well-meaning Ghanaians to join the demonstration to draw the attention of authorities to those living in Ghana illegally. He further asserted that the recent surge in ritual killings and internet and romance scams are largely perpetuated by these undocumented foreigners.
“Take a look at the arrests of suspected criminals paraded on TV and in the media and check the names. How many Ghanaians are involved in these crimes? The majority of them are foreigners. They engage in robbery, kidnapping, scamming, and the killing of our residents. We are appealing to the Ghana Immigration Service to take immediate action and ensure that all undocumented foreigners are deported.”