Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama has called on world leaders to prioritise child protection in the digital age, warning that while technology offers vast opportunities, it also exposes young people to serious risks.
Speaking at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit in Washington, D.C., the First Lady expressed gratitude to summit host Melania Trump for convening the high-level gathering focused on safeguarding children online.
Drawing from personal experience, Mrs. Mahama recounted how Ghana’s 69th Independence Day on March 6 which coincided with her birthday highlighted both the promise and power of digital platforms.
“Many messages I received came from young people who could not attend our national celebrations. But technology gave them a voice,” she said, referencing videos and well wishes shared via TikTok.
She noted the rapid expansion of the digital space, revealing that nearly seven in ten people globally now use social media. In Ghana, she said, between 8 and 15 million internet users are predominantly young people.
Quoting President John Dramani Mahama, she underscored the transformative power of technology: “In their hands, a smartphone becomes a classroom, a business platform, a creative studio, and a gateway to the global economy.”
However, Mrs. Mahama cautioned that the benefits of digital technology must be balanced with safeguards.
“Without proper guidance and protection, these same tools can expose children to harm,” she warned, citing research indicating that one in five young victims of cyberbullying avoids school as a result.
She highlighted Ghana’s proactive measures, including strengthened legislation, improved enforcement, and the launch of the Safer Digital Ghana campaign to raise awareness and combat online abuse.
“Our duty is clear,” she declared. “Protecting children’s digital futures is our moral duty, our generational responsibility, and our shared global mission.”
The two-day summit aims to deepen international collaboration on child online safety, building on global frameworks such as those championed by the United Nations and the European Union.
Mrs. Mahama noted that Ghana’s efforts are anchored in its 2025 national strategy, which includes school-based digital literacy programmes and partnerships with global technology companies like Meta Platforms and Google to improve content moderation and online safety.
With internet penetration in Ghana reaching approximately 68 percent, she said the country is positioning itself as a leader in Africa balancing digital growth with strong protections against threats such as cyberbullying, sextortion, disinformation, and online abuse.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
