First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Lordina Mahama, has called on global leaders to prioritize child safety, asserting that digital technology offers both remarkable opportunities and considerable risks for youth around the world.
Speaking at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit in Washington, D.C. yesterday, Lordina Mahama expressed her gratitude to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, for organizing the event and shared a personal story that illustrated the dual aspects of technology.
First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Lordina Mahama, Joins Push For Child Online Safety
Reflecting on Ghana’s 69th Independence Day, which coincides with her birthday on March 6, she recounted her experience of browsing through TikTok messages from young Ghanaians celebrating with dances and sending birthday wishes.
“Many of these messages came from youths unable to participate in our national festivities, but technology provided them with a platform,” she noted, highlighting how digital channels can amplify voices nationwide.
Lordina Mahama pointed out the significant growth of the digital landscape, revealing that nearly 70% of people globally are now active on social media. In Ghana, an estimated 8 to 15 million internet users are mainly young individuals.
Quoting President John Dramani Mahama’s address on Independence Day, she remarked: “Our children belong to a generation equipped with tools that previous generations could scarcely envision. In their hands, a smartphone transforms into a classroom, a business hub, a creative space, and a portal to the global economy.”
However, the First Lady warned that without appropriate guidance, technology can pose serious threats to children. She referenced studies indicating that one in five young victims of cyberbullying avoid school as a consequence.
In response, Ghana has taken steps to enhance legislative frameworks, improve enforcement mechanisms, and launch the ‘Safer Digital Ghana’ campaign to raise public awareness and combat online abuse.
“Protecting children’s digital futures is our moral obligation, our generational responsibility, and our collective global mission,” she added.
The two-day summit aims to foster international collaboration on child online safety, building upon frameworks such as the UN’s Children and Digital report and the European Union’s Digital Services Act.
Ghana’s initiatives arise from its 2025 national strategy, which includes school-based digital literacy programs and collaborations with tech companies like Meta and Google for content moderation.
With a reported 68% internet penetration rate according to recent GSMA data, Ghana is at the forefront in Africa for balancing digital growth with protective measures against threats like sextortion, misinformation, and online abuse.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong