Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, has called on world leaders to prioritize child safety in the digital era, warning that while technology opens doors to education and opportunity, it also exposes young people to serious risks.
Speaking at the Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit hosted by U.S. First Lady Melanie Trump, Mrs. Mahama underscored the double-edged nature of digital innovation. She shared a personal story to illustrate how technology can empower children yet simultaneously leave them vulnerable.
“The digital space is expanding at a remarkable pace, with nearly seven in ten people worldwide active on social media,” she noted. “In Ghana alone, between 8 and 15 million internet users are largely young people.”
Referencing President John Dramani Mahama’s recent Independence Day address, she emphasized the transformative potential of technology: “Our children belong to a generation equipped with tools that earlier generations could scarcely imagine. In their hands, a smartphone serves as a classroom, a business hub, a creative space, and a gateway to the global economy.”
Yet Mrs. Mahama cautioned that without strong oversight, these same tools can cause harm. She cited studies showing that one in five victims of cyberbullying avoids school as a result, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.
Ghana has already taken steps to confront these challenges, including strengthening legislation, improving enforcement, and launching the Safer Digital Ghana campaign to raise awareness and curb online abuse.
The two-day summit, which brings together policymakers, advocates, and technology leaders, aims to deepen global collaboration on child online protection. Discussions build on existing frameworks such as the United Nations’ Children and Digital report and the European Union’s Digital Services Act.
Mrs. Mahama’s appeal adds momentum to a growing international movement that seeks to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that the digital future is safe for the youngest generation.
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