The 2025 Glorious Women on the Go (GWOGO) Summit opened with a bold call for patrons to embrace authenticity and self-awareness in an era dominated by social media and digital validation.

The event brought together thought leaders, faith figures, entrepreneurs, women professionals and students to discuss the intersection of identity, technology, and self-worth.

Held at the Christian Worship Centre, Celebration Chapel, Teshie Malik, the summit marked the third edition of GWOGO’s annual gathering under the theme “The Mask We Wear: Understanding Social Media’s Influence on Identity, Values, and Dignity.”

In a welcome address, the president of Glorious Women on the Go (GWOGO), Lady Rev. Cassandra Quaye, set the tone with a reflection on GWOGO’s evolution since its inception, noting that the 2025 summit represented a new frontier that examines how digital culture is reshaping identity and values.

“We find ourselves at the intersection of technology and identity, exploring the profound impact of social media on our values, self-worth, and dignity,” she said.

Dean of the School of Information and Communication, University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banim, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, urged patrons to reflect on the authenticity of the versions of themselves they project online, emphasising the need for introspection and balance between curated personas and genuine self-expression.

A panel session followed, featuring Professor Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Liranz Consulting, Nicholas Bortey, the Head of Marketing – IMC Strategy, Samsung Ghana, Tracy Kyei Odonkor, and the Head Pastor of Christian Worship Centre, Celebration Chapel, Teshie Assembly, Reverend William Quaye, who collectively unpacked the psychological, social, and spiritual implications of life behind the digital mask.

Professor Abena opened with a deeply reflective perspective on humanity’s duality and vulnerability. “I cried this morning at my mother’s tombstone, but I’m here smiling. That’s life,” she shared.

She cautioned against society’s growing obsession with perfection, noting that constant digital performance erodes emotional depth.

“We have become shallow beings seeking praise, forgetting our inner depth. It’s okay to have struggles; it’s okay to have unpleasant sides. That’s what makes you human,” she said.

Entrepreneur and tech strategist Nicholas Bortey took a pragmatic approach, highlighting the importance of intentionality in digital expression.

“Everything I post, I know what I’m posting. It’s deliberate and strategic,” he said. According to Bortey, the problem lies not in technology but in the user’s lack of self-awareness.

“The issue isn’t the app. It’s not knowing who you are before you go online,” he remarked. He shared how purposeful engagement on social media transformed his business, attracting international recognition from institutions.

“Social media made me visible internationally, but it started with knowing who I am,” he noted.

Marketing professional Tracy shared her personal evolution from seeking validation to embracing authenticity. “At one point, I was living for likes and comments,” she revealed.

“It took me years to realise that if the real you wouldn’t get the same likes, then it’s not you they’re applauding, but it’s the mask.”

She acknowledged that self-presentation is inevitable but cautioned against allowing digital personas to overtake real identity.

“We all curate parts of ourselves, but the danger is when the mask becomes who we are,” she said.

Bringing a faith-based conclusion to the conversation, Reverend William Quaye called for transparency and spiritual grounding as antidotes to digital pretence.

“The greatest deception is when we convince ourselves that the mask is our real face,” he said. He reminded attendees that authenticity is a spiritual discipline that requires courage and faith.

“Authenticity is an act of faith, hence believing that who God made you is enough,” he declared. “When we drop the mask, we make room for grace.”

Over the years, GWOGO has positioned itself as a safe space for women to confront difficult issues with openness and faith.

The 2025 edition continued this legacy, championing the message that authenticity is not a weakness but a powerful act of strength in today’s digital world.