SCARS is Changing the way Ghana West Africa thinks about Scams Fraud & Cybercrime
SCARS Director Dr. Tim McGuinness was presenting to the Ghana Police Service Academy on April 15th, 2024
Authors:
• SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Portions from the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation
About This Article
The ePolice Academy 2024 International Edition, a collaborative initiative by the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, recently concluded with resounding success in Sunyani, Ghana.
The event, held at Sheila’s Executive Hotel, gathered cybersecurity experts and law enforcement officers to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber forensic investigations and enhance online safety. Key speakers like Dr. Edward Danso Ansong, Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah, and Dr. Tim McGuinness of SCARS provided invaluable insights into AI’s role in cybersecurity and the impact of cybercrime on victims.
Practical applications of AI were showcased, with innovative approaches to crime detection highlighted. The event emphasized the importance of ethical hacking, digital literacy, and proactive cybercrime prevention. The enthusiastic participation of attendees and the practical knowledge gained underscored the event’s significance in advancing Ghana’s cybersecurity landscape.

SCARS is Proud to have had our Dr. McGuinness presenting to the Ghana Police Service
SCARS Is Changing The Way West Africa Thinks About Scams Fraud & Cybercrime – April 15, 2024
The ePolice Academy 2024 International Edition, a groundbreaking collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, with the participation again of SCARS, recently concluded its highly anticipated event in Sunyani, Ghana. Held at Sheila’s Executive Hotel in the Bono Region on April 15th, 2024, this landmark initiative brought together leading cybersecurity experts and law enforcement officers from around the world to address the evolving challenges of cybercrime and online safety. With a focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into cyber forensic investigations, the ePolice Academy aimed to equip participants with cutting-edge tools and strategies to combat digital threats and safeguard communities in Ghana and beyond.
Distinguished speakers such as Dr. Edward Danso Ansong, Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah, and Dr. Tim McGuinness of SCARS led insightful discussions on the pivotal role of AI in cybersecurity and the profound impact of cybercrime on both victims and law enforcement. Their expertise illuminated the complex intersection of technology, crime, and justice, offering invaluable perspectives on navigating the digital landscape in an era of unprecedented connectivity and vulnerability. As participants engaged in interactive sessions and hands-on demonstrations, the ePolice Academy underscored the urgent need for collaboration, innovation, and proactive measures to ensure a safer digital environment for all.
According to the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation:
Sunyani, Ghana – April 2024,
The ePolice Academy 2024 International Edition, an initiative hosted by the Ghana Police Service in partnership with the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, has successfully concluded. The landmark event, which took place at Sheila’s Executive Hotel in Sunyani, Bono Region on April 15th, 2024, brought together top cybersecurity experts and law enforcement officers to foster the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber forensic investigation and bolster online safety in Ghana.
Esteemed international and local professionals gathered to share their knowledge and best practices. Dr. Edward Danso Ansong and Dr. Isaac Tweneboah-Koduah offered profound insights into AI’s role in cybersecurity, while Dr. Tim McGuinness addressed the impact of cybercrime on Victims and Law Enforcement’s role in showing compassion to victims. Emmanuel Atwam delivered an engaging session on digital evidence, emphasizing the enhancement of forensic capabilities within the Ghana Police Service.
Gabriel Ofosu Appiah provided valuable guidance on online safety and digital literacy. Botswana’s David Moepeng shared strategies from his extensive experience in cybercrime mitigation, underscoring the global dimension of the conference.
Practical applications of AI were showcased by DSP Alex Anargbonu, Dominic Alokopo, and Stephen Suglo, who were recognized for their innovative approaches to crime detection. Terence Addey Adams highlighted the essential work in cybercrime prevention within child protection.
The discussion on ethical hacking led by Philemon Hini opened up conversations on securing digital infrastructure. The interactive sessions throughout the event ensured that attendees were equipped with both theoretical understanding and practical skills.
The event received acclaim not only for the expert panels but also for the enthusiastic participation of the trainees, one of whom stated, “The knowledge and hands-on experience gained from the ePolice Academy have been unparalleled. The practical applications of AI we’ve been exposed to are game-changers for our day-to-day duties and will significantly enhance our operational effectiveness.”
There is a slogan that says, ‘Think before you click’. As police officers tasked with protecting life and property, there is a need for us to understand the existence of cybercrime, how to investigate, the type of evidence we are to look for, how to retrieve that evidence, and how to preserve it for future use. This training, when taken seriously, will enhance your professional experience and, for that matter, the goal of the Ghana Police Service and the expectations of the general public. — Bono Regional Police Commander
The Ghana Police Service extends sincere thanks to the organizers, Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, speakers and participants.
“This event is a cornerstone in our ongoing commitment to using technology to ensure the safety of the public,” said a senior representative of the Ghana Police Service.
The ePolice Academy was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the pursuit of a safer digital environment in Ghana.




Please Rate This Article
Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.
Leave a Reply
Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.
Recent Reader Comments
on The Similarity/Attraction Theory And Relationship Scams – 2024: “This article has been helpful. I harbored the thought that my crime was the result of my age. Now I…” Feb 8, 16:42
on Hedonic Adaptation And Scam Victims Finding Happiness – 2024: “Being scammed was insult to injury for me. Less than a year before my scam, I went through a divorce…” Feb 6, 22:24
on Avoiding News Overload – Staying Positive in a World of Overwhelming News – 2025: “By absorbing regularly, without much thought, the vast amount of information we are fed by the mass media, we often…” Feb 6, 10:45
on Why Are We More Likely To Trust Total Strangers Now? 2024: “In the early 1960’s stranger danger was a new societal reality. I was in grade school, we had the police…” Feb 4, 19:44
on Trust: Romance Scams Betrayal And Scam Victims – 2024: “It is important to practice self-care during a process of recovery from the end of the scam, the betrayal experienced…” Feb 4, 19:09
on The Scam Victims Need To Feel Special And How Scammers Exploit This Vulnerability – 2024: “This article – sad but very true. I remember at one point that the impersonator of the celebrity I thought…” Feb 4, 18:47
on Susceptibility To Deception/Scams/Fraud With Victims Who Also Suffer From Mental Disorders – 2024: “Having PTSD and going through a scam has been a living nightmare. The PTSD is from my first marriage wherein…” Feb 4, 18:28
on We Must Be Compassionate with Illegal Immigrants Even When There are Consequences – an Editorial – 2025: “totalmente de acuerdo, no se pude juzgar a todos por igual, ciertamente el entrar a un pais ilegalmente no es…” Feb 4, 16:30
on What Really Are Vulnerabilities That Lead To Scams? [UPDATED 2024]: “This article explored many of the reasons scams occur. I recognized several of the descriptions in myself and the fraud…” Feb 4, 16:29
on The Five Crises Of Scam Victim Recovery – 2025: “We know that the journey of recovery is long and difficult, but what specific obstacles can we encounter along the…” Feb 4, 15:02
Did you find this article useful?
If you did, please help the SCARS Institute to continue helping Scam Victims to become Survivors.
Your gift helps us continue our work and help more scam victims to find the path to recovery!
You can give at donate.AgainstScams.org
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
SCARS Resources:
- Getting Started: ScamVictimsSupport.org
- FREE enrollment in the SCARS Institute training programs for scam victims SCARSeducation.org
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Learn more about the Psychology of Scams and Scam Victims: ScamPsychology.org
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
-/ 30 /-
What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment below!
More ScamsNOW.com Articles
SCARS LINKS: AgainstScams.org RomanceScamsNOW.com ContraEstafas.org ScammerPhotos.com Anyscam.com ScamsNOW.com
reporting.AgainstScams.org support.AgainstScams.org membership.AgainstScams.org donate.AgainstScams.org shop.AgainstScams.org
youtube.AgainstScams.org linkedin.AgainstScams.org facebook.AgainstScams.org
Excelente. Muchas gracias Dr Tim McGuinness