"In an era where digital crime evolves rapidly alongside technological advancements, it is imperative for governmental, academic, and private institutions to collaborate on the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence," said.

Mr. Agbeti made the call in a speech at an ePolice Academy 2025 event to mark a bold and strategic step towards National and Regional resilience
Held recently at the Amonoo Neizer Conference Hall at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technolgy, Kumasi, and led by the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF), the event brought together Ghana's leading law enforcement officers, judicial experts, cybersecurity professionals and partners from across Africa to strengthen capacity in combating child online exploitation and financial sextortion.

He said by aligning ethical Al deployment with robust policy frameworks and cross-sector expertise, "we can better anticipate, detect, and respond to cyber threats while safeguarding privacy, civil liberties, and the integrity of digital ecosystems.

"Only through coordinated efforts and shared accountability can we meet the complex demands of modern digital crime and build resilient, secure societies."

Mr. Agbeti said there was the need to coordinate, have data-driven, and ethical national strategy to protect children online

DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service cited over 10,000 cyber incidents reported between 2023 and 2024.

She emphasised the need for specialized tools, cross-border cooperation, and professional agility to confront complex threats like sextortion, CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material), and online fraud.

Athena Morgan of ICMEC Kenya shared international frameworks for Al-enabled child protection, while Nelson Herald Darko of the CSA elaborated on Ghana's national strategy and law enforcement partnerships.

Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe of the Court of Appeal addressed the growing demands on the judiciary to understand and prosecute digital crimes efficiently and justly.

The day also featured critical contributions from experts like Paul Raffille, who joined live from New York to map global financial sextortion patterns, and Andrew Briercliffe of the UK, who emphasized scalable investigations.

A major highlight was the official launch of the #StopSextortion campaign, aimed at breaking the silence around image- based abuse and equipping victims with safe reporting channels and support systems.

The campaign is now being rolled out across schools, communities, and law enforcement agencies nationwide.

As Ghana continues to take decisive steps to secure its digital future, the ePolice Academy 2025 stands as a testament to what is possible when leadership, expertise, and regional solidarity converge.

Together, stakeholders are building a safer, smarter, and more secure online environment for every child.