Ahead of Ghana’s 2024 elections, 200 female politicians are undergoing digital skills training to amplify their voices and improve online safety.

Spearheaded by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with support from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, this initiative addresses challenges women face on social media, equipping them to navigate digital spaces more effectively and communicate their campaign messages to constituents.

Daisy Prempeh, Program Officer at MFWA, explained the initiative’s purpose.

“In collaboration with WiLDAF and support from the Dutch Foreign Ministry, we are organising this training to equip female politicians with essential digital tools. This effort will help them run their campaigns and connect with constituents, projecting what they hope to accomplish if elected.”

The training spans Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, with the Kumasi session currently underway. Daisy shared that the program has so far seen significant participation, which she views as encouraging.

“This is day one in Kumasi. Tomorrow, we’ll continue here, and then head to Tamale for two more days. The turnout has exceeded expectations, with participants eager to learn new ways of using social media to boost their political work.”

Dr. Martin Thompson Ntem, a digital communications consultant, provided understanding into the importance of this digital training.

“We are in an era where digital marketing is important. It is necessary for female politicians to use these tools to share their stories, promote their political messages, and engage voters.”

Martin emphasised that the two day training covers social media marketing and digital engagement techniques.

"We’ll look at digital marketing tools that help female politicians amplify their voices and connect with voters. It’s about making them digitally literate so they can navigate platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and SMS to advance their campaigns.”

Safety remains a primary concern, especially given the online harassment many female politicians face.

“The internet can be a dangerous place, especially for women in public roles. We’re covering topics like data protection and cybersecurity, helping participants strengthen their online security to avoid hacking or other forms of digital sabotage. They’ll learn how to create strong passwords and manage their online privacy.”

Lois Aduahmoah-Addo, Programme Manager at Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), highlighted the focus on female politicians.

"WiLDAF is collaborating with MFWA on this project to build the capacity of female politicians in using digital tools. The goal is to amplify their campaign messages and ensure they are visible in the public eye. Many women miss out on digital training opportunities, so this initiative is specifically aimed at them.”

The sessions also include discussions on combating gendered disinformation, a prevalent issue that hinders women’s participation in politics.

Gender based misinformation often targets female politicians, undermining their credibility and discouraging them from engaging online.

By addressing this issue, the program seeks to prepare women to navigate the complexities of digital spaces and mitigate the impact of online attacks on their campaigns.

Through these trainings, MFWA hopes that participants will gain the digital skills necessary for campaigning and develop a sense of confidence in navigating online platforms safely.

“This is about more than just learning new tools. It’s about giving these women a stronger voice in the political process, empowering them to engage with their communities in ways that were previously out of reach," Daisy said.

For Ghana’s female politicians, this training is a step towards greater digital fluency and security.

As the elections draw closer, these women will now have the means to make their voices heard while safeguarding themselves from the risks associated with online visibility.