US-based Ghanaian tech lawyer, Antoinette Essilfie, has been honoured with the Safeguarding Children’s Data Award at the inaugural PICCASO Awards, held recently at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The PICCASO Awards, established by PICCASO Africa, recognise excellence and dedication in the critical fields of data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity across the African continent.

Antoinette’s work focuses on interpreting global child safety requirements and collaborating closely with product teams to build safer digital spaces for teenagers.

Her contributions include developing key features, such as restrictions on viewing nude content, implementing messaging safeguards, and setting limits on screen time.

The recognition also serves as a broader call to action for parents, educators, policymakers, and the tech community to prioritise and invest in children’s digital rights.

Speaking after receiving the award, Antoinette said it highlights the urgent and growing need to protect minors’ digital footprints, both in Ghana and globally.

She noted that “we must all contribute our part to creating a safer online environment,” a mission she says resonates deeply with her as digital literacy continues to increase among Ghanaian youth.

Antoinette Essilfie Esq. earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2014 and was called to the Ghana Bar in 2016.

She was admitted to practise law in New York and Washington, D.C. in 2020, the same year she completed her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

She is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Swiss School of Business and Management.

With extensive experience in technology and corporate law, she holds several prestigious certifications, including CIPP/US, CIPM, and Fellowship in Privacy from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

These credentials underscore her commitment to ethical practices and inclusive policies in today’s digital landscape.

Antoinette is also the co-founder of Acway Consultancy LLC, where she supports organisations with regulatory compliance and mentors women transitioning into careers in privacy.

She serves on the advisory board of the IAPP’s Women Leading Privacy initiative, contributing to efforts to promote diversity and leadership in the field.

In addition, she is the Executive Director of the Association of Privacy Lawyers in Africa, leading initiatives that support, train, and equip privacy lawyers across the continent while advocating for privacy rights in Africa’s expanding digital ecosystem.

A seasoned public speaker and career coach, Antoinette regularly presents on privacy, corporate law, and professional development.

She is particularly passionate about empowering individuals, especially immigrants, to navigate career transitions and leverage their skills to succeed in new professional environments.

As Lead Counsel at a global technology firm, she helps shape policies that promote ethical innovation.

One of her core goals is to pioneer cutting-edge legal and ethical frameworks to help create a safer digital world for the next generation.