MTN Ghana Launches 16 Days of Activism to Combat Digital Violence Against Women and Children
MTN Ghana has officially launched this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, placing strong emphasis on the growing threat of online abuse under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Children.” The annual campaign, observed globally from November 25 to December 10, is being marked across various parts of the country with a series of coordinated activities aimed at safeguarding vulnerable groups in the digital space.
The launch event, held at Tesano in Accra, brought together over 100 students from the Police Depot Cluster of Schools. Addressing the gathering, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, highlighted the increasing need to protect women and children from online-related harm. She explained that as Ghana’s digital ecosystem expands, so does the risk of abuse migrating from physical environments into virtual spaces.
According to her, MTN Ghana, in collaboration with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and the Cyber Security Authority, is prioritizing public education on preventing harmful online behaviors. “We are already familiar with physical forms of gender-based violence. However, as more of our life is spent online, so has abuse also moved to the digital space, showing up as cyberbullying, harassment, and other harmful online actions, most of which disproportionately affect women and girls,” Madam Wiafe stated.
She reiterated that MTN’s drive to ensure inclusive access to digital services goes hand in hand with the responsibility to protect users. “Being connected should be a positive and empowering experience. Anything that causes harm or negativity is something we must all work together to eliminate,” she said.
Speaking at the event, ACP Owusuaa Kyeremeh, Director of DOVVSU, expressed deep concern about the escalating nature of digital violence. She stated that with just a single click, someone can spread harmful videos, steal personal information, or issue threats that infringe on another person’s safety and freedom.
She explained that girls and young women face heightened risks online—including harassment, pressure to share intimate images, hacking, and the unlawful circulation of private content—most of which go unreported due to fear or stigma. ACP Kyeremeh urged the students to take an active role in addressing the issue: “Do not be bystanders. Be the generation that stops digital violence.”
As part of this year’s campaign, MTN Ghana and DOVVSU are undertaking extensive nationwide awareness initiatives. These include radio interviews across the regions, school debates on preventing digital violence, film screenings, community sensitization engagements, and information sessions to support victims of online abuse. The activities aim not only to build awareness but also to equip the public with knowledge on how to navigate the digital space safely.
The launch event also featured an interactive cyber hygiene session led by Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi, Director of Cybercrime, who, together with a representative from MTN, educated students on cybersecurity best practices. The session emphasized steps young people can take to protect themselves online. The most active student participant for the day was rewarded with a tablet.
The 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism campaign underscores MTN Ghana’s ongoing commitment to creating a safer digital environment and encouraging responsible online behavior. It also reinforces the company’s dedication to ensuring that the internet remains an empowering platform—especially for women and children who are most vulnerable to digital abuse.
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Media Contacts:
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu
Corporate Communications Senior Manager
Email: mtnghana.mediaoffice@mtn.com
About MTN Ghana
MTN Ghana is the market leader in the mobile telecommunications industry in Ghana, offering subscribers a variety of services under Pay As You Go, Pay Monthly, and Mobile Financial Services. The company is part of the MTN Group, a major emerging market operator with a vision to deliver a bold new digital world to its customers. Guided by its belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life, MTN Ghana continues to lead digital transformation in line with its strategy, Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. Scancom PLC is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange.
