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Over 30 police officers have undergone a specialized capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening their response to Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), thanks to a partnership between the Ghana Police Service and UNICEF.
The training, held in Techiman, brought together personnel primarily from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) to equip them with modern investigative tools, victim support strategies, and techniques for preventing the growing wave of digital threats targeting children.
Speaking to Radio Link, ASP Nana George Akomea, the Public Relations Officer of the Court Unit in the Central North Region, expressed grave concern over the rising number of cases involving children being manipulated online to share sexually explicit content. He noted that such material is often weaponized for blackmail, leading to emotional trauma and, in some tragic instances, suicide.
“Offenders are using social media to exploit children,” he said. “We need to be ahead of them. This workshop is helping our officers sharpen their investigative skills and work more closely with other stakeholders to protect children.”
Akomea emphasized the importance of parental vigilance, urging guardians to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s online behavior.
“There are too many harmful activities happening in the virtual space that endanger our children. The law is clear, and it is our duty to enforce it while empowering families to stay alert.”
He further disclosed that the workshop also involves collaboration with medical practitioners and social welfare officers who provide frontline support in OCSEA and DOVVSU-related cases.
“This isn’t just about law enforcement,” he explained. “It’s about a multi-sectoral approach—working hand-in-hand with caregivers, social workers, and health professionals to ensure that children are safe both online and offline.”
Participants drawn from various child protection agencies lauded the initiative. Many described it as timely and insightful, especially in a digital age where criminal activity is rapidly evolving.
“This workshop opened our eyes to hidden online crimes we hadn’t been fully aware of,” one participant said. “Now we’re equipped to track and investigate OCSEA cases with more precision.”
Another attendee shared: “I’ve gained new techniques for interviewing victims and working with affected families. This will go a long way in improving how we manage such sensitive cases.”
The workshop forms part of a broader national effort to curb child exploitation in Ghana’s digital space and to equip frontliners with practical tools for protection, prevention, and justice.
