Ghana has been facing a wave of national outrage since early February 2026 following a case involving Vyacheslav Trahov, a Russian content creator known under the pseudonym “Yaytseslav.” The tourist, active on TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram, is accused of filming and distributing online intimate encounters with numerous Ghanaian women, often without their explicit consent for recording and publication.
What began as controversial “travel” content quickly evolved into a heated debate about consent, sexual exploitation, privacy, and gender stereotypes.
The Origins of the Controversy
Arriving in Accra in early February 2026, Vyacheslav Trahov (alias Yaytseslav) drew attention by approaching women in public places, notably at Accra Mall. His method, filmed and shared online, involved initiating brief conversations (often through a translator), persuading the person to accompany him to his hotel within minutes to an hour, and then recording intimate acts — including alleged unprotected encounters — using Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses equipped with hidden cameras.
On his accounts (@vyacheslav_znakomstva on TikTok and other platforms), he claimed to have had relations with more than a hundred Ghanaian women in a short period of time. Among them were married women or women in stable relationships.
The videos often showed post-intimate scenes: women in towels, discussions about money (such as unpaid transport fares), or confrontations. Some internet users expressed serious concerns about the potential transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, due to the alleged unprotected practices.
This is not the first time such accusations have surfaced. Similar content shows him operating in South Africa, Kenya, and other African countries, where he previously sparked outrage over comparable allegations of deception and distribution of intimate videos.
Read also : Who Is Yaytseslav? Inside the Profile of the Russian Man Accused of Recording Encounters with Ghanaian Women
Timeline of Key Events
Early February 2026:
Yaytseslav arrives in Accra and posts his first TikTok videos showing his rapid approaches. Clips quickly circulate across social media, including a video call confrontation with a Nigerian woman accusing him of unprotected sex and refusing to reimburse her transportation costs.
February 5–12, 2026:
The controversy explodes on X (formerly Twitter), with multiple accounts sharing compilations and analyses. Debates intensify around the supposed “ease” of Ghanaian women in dealing with “bronies” (white foreigners), compared to stereotypes portraying Nigerian women as more “demanding.”
February 12, 2026:
Public outrage reaches its peak. Widespread calls emerge for authorities to intervene over alleged violations of privacy, revenge porn, exploitation, and breaches of Ghanaian cybersecurity laws.
February 13, 2026:
Facing significant backlash, Yaytseslav deletes numerous videos, sets his TikTok account to private, and publishes a response downplaying the situation as simple “travel content,” without offering clear apologies. Local media outlets publish articles on the scandal, highlighting the “outrage” and secret recordings.
Broader Issues Raised
The scandal highlights broader concerns: sex tourism in Africa, economic and racial inequalities, the impact of social media on privacy, and the urgent need for greater awareness regarding the protection of intimate data and digital consent.
While some view the case as a passing media storm, others are calling for a strong institutional response to protect local women and regulate monetized content of this nature. The Yaytseslav case continues to evolve rapidly, with videos deleted but still circulating through screenshots and Telegram channels.
Ghana watches, debates… and questions its own vulnerabilities in the era of globalized digital voyeurism.
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