First Lady Lordina Mahama Champions Child Online Safety in Washington | Discuss Ghana

 On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama addressed the "Fostering the Future Together" Global Coalition Summit at the White House in Washington, D.C..

Invited by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, Mrs. Mahama spoke on behalf of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), positioning Ghana as a continental leader in balancing rapid digital growth with robust child protections.

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Ghana’s Digital Blueprint

Mrs. Mahama highlighted that with Ghana’s internet penetration now at 68%, the "National Reset" of the country's digital policy must prioritize the vulnerable:

"Safer Digital Ghana": She touted this flagship campaign as the cornerstone of public awareness, designed to educate children and parents on the dangers of the dark web.

Legislative Strength: The First Lady noted that Ghana has recently tightened laws to specifically target sextortion, cyberbullying, and online exploitation.

Tech Partnerships: She emphasized that Ghana is working directly with Meta and Google to implement school-based digital literacy and enhance content moderation for Ghanaian users.

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The Dual Nature of Technology

In a moving personal anecdote, Mrs. Mahama illustrated how technology can both empower and endanger:

The Positive: She recalled receiving thousands of TikTok birthday wishes from young Ghanaians on March 6 (Independence Day), noting that social media gave a "voice" to those who couldn't attend national celebrations.

The Warning: Quoting President John Dramani Mahama, she warned that while a smartphone is a "creative studio" and a "classroom," it can also be a gateway to harm without proper guidance.

The Statistic: She cited research showing that one in five young victims of cyberbullying avoids school, calling it a "real-world consequence" that requires global action.

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Summit Snapshot: Washington, D.C. (March 25, 2026)

Detail	Information
Convener	First Lady Melania Trump.
Key Theme	A secure and equitable digital future for children.
Ghana's Strategy	Anchored in the 2025 National Digital Policy.
Participants	Global First Spouses, policymakers, and tech stakeholders.

"Protecting our children's digital future is our moral duty, our generational responsibility, and our shared global mission." — First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama.