Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, called on international leaders to prioritize child safety in the digital age during the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit in Washington, D.C. Hosted by US First Lady Melanie Trump, the summit focused on protecting young people from online risks while harnessing technology’s opportunities. Mrs. Mahama shared how, on Ghana’s 69th Independence Day, digital platforms like TikTok allowed children across the country to join celebrations remotely, illustrating the internet’s ability to amplify youth voices. She noted that globally, nearly seven in ten people use social media, while Ghana has 8–15 million predominantly young internet users.
Highlighting both potential and risks, she warned that one in five cyberbullied children avoids school, emphasizing the need for robust digital protections. Ghana has responded with strengthened legislation, enforcement, and the Safer Digital Ghana campaign, alongside school-based digital literacy program and partnerships with Meta and Google for content moderation.
“Protecting children’s digital futures is our moral duty, generational responsibility, and a shared global mission,” Mrs. Mahama declared. The summit draws on frameworks including the UN’s Children and Digital report and the EU Digital Services Act, promoting international cooperation on child online safety. With internet penetration at 68%, Ghana is emerging as a leader in Africa for balancing digital growth with safeguards against sextortion, disinformation, and online abuse.
