The event held on the theme: "Harnessing Al to Protect Children Against CSAM/OCSEA: Empowering Ghanaian Teachers for the Digital Age", focused on equipping educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The training programme brought together teachers, students and IT coordinators within the education sector, providing them with essential skills to guide students in the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while ensuring online safety.

Mr Gabriel Ofori Appiah, Head of Programmes and Outreach at GISF, emphasized the importance of Al literacy among teachers.
"Today, we harnessed the power of Al because students and pupils are already using it and many teachers are not well- versed in Al, so we provided this training to empower them to educate both their peers and students," he said.

He stressed the significance of online safety, noting that "anyone with access to a phone or the internet must be protected online."
He said GISF was committed to giving back to society through these annual training programmes, which have now run successfully for seven years.

"The internet is here to stay, and Al is now part of our lives. However, we must understand both its advantages and risks. This knowledge will help teachers guide students in using Al safely and responsibly," Mr. Appiah said.

Mr Emmanuel Adinkrah, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of GISF, said the world stood at a pivotal moment in its fight to protect children in the digital space as technology advances, so do the threats against the most vulnerable.

He said "Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) were pressing issues that demand urgent and innovative solutions.

"Al presents us with a powerful tool to detect, prevent, and respond to these dangers," he added.

He said by harnessing Al-driven solutions, they could better safeguard children, identify threats in real time, and support law enforcement in holding perpetrators accountable.
However, technology alone is not enough, we must also empower those on the frontlines: our teachers.

Mr. Adinkrah said educators play a critical role in shaping a safe digital future for Ghanaian children that was why GISF was committed to equipping teachers with the knowledge, skills, and Al-powered tools needed to detect early warning signs, educate students on digital safety, and create a secure learning environment.

"Together, through strategic collaboration, capacity-building, and responsible Al implementation, we can turn the tide against online exploitation," he said.

Madam Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta, reaffirmed the tech company's dedication to ensuring a safe online experience for all users.
"Meta is committed to fostering a safer digital environment. Through our free online safety program, My Digital World, we have trained over 100,000 users," she said.
She emphasized Meta's collaborations with key stakeholders, including GISF, to create a positive impact in digital space.

The initiative continues to make significant strides in shaping a digitally literate and responsible teaching community in Ghana.

By equipping educators with vital skills in Al and online safety, GISF is fostering a safer, more knowledgeable digital future for students across the country.