EOCO signs MOU with Ghana Internet Safety Foundation

The Economic and Organised Crime Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation (GISF) this morning 16th April 2024, in a short ceremony held at the Head Office in Accra.

The MOU seeks to establish a framework for collaboration between the two institutions in conducting joint online safety awareness campaigns aimed at target audiences in Ghana. The collaboration also seeks to leverage the strengths and expertise of both institutions to enhance online safety and reduce cybercrime in Ghana.

The Executive Director, Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah in her remarks indicated that the MOU is consistent with Strategic Priority 3 of the 5-year Strategic plan of the Office that encourages partnership with relevant institutions in the full execution of its mandate.

She added that this partnership also seeks to create a safer digital space for all internet users in Ghana since the world is now an interconnected global space with the internet playing a central role in our daily lives.

“This collaboration will therefore ensure great strides in ensuring the safety and security of these virtual spaces which is very paramount to the functions and objectives of the Office” she said.

The President of GISF, Mr. Emmanuel Adinkrah, who joined virtually, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with EOCO to combat some emerging crimes/problems that are being noted across the spectrum from children through to adults.

He noted that with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), issues of sextortion (sexual extortion), cyberbullying and other related crimes are becoming increasingly worrisome.

He added that several arrests have been made of perpetrators in the sub-region targeting children in the US and Europe and this trend needs to be nipped in the bud before it becomes prevalent in Ghana.

Also in attendance to do the signing was the Director – Operation and Outreach of GISF, Mr. Gabriel Ofori Appiah, the two (2) Deputy Executive Directors of EOCO and some Unit Heads.

The Ghana Internet Safety Foundation is a grassroots-oriented non-profit organisation whose flagship programme is Child Online Protection Initiatives and Digital Parenting Conference. The GISF serves as a voice for online security and sexual abuse of children by disseminating relevant information and content on social media.