Have you ever felt the sting of cruel words? online or in person?
For many young people today, hate speech isn’t just a distant issue, it’s something they encounter regularly on social media, in school, and even within their communities. But what toll does this take on their mental health?
In commemoration of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, Mobile Web Ghana, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy Ghana, hosted a timely and engaging session at American Corner Agbogba with students from Dome MA Basic School. The program explored the connection between hate speech and youth mental health, while equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to foster respectful and supportive communication
In her opening remarks, Florence Toffa, CEO of Mobile Web Ghana, emphasized the power of words—how they can build or break, uplift or destroy. She called on participants to be mindful of their language and to stand as digital citizens who use their voices to spread truth and empathy, not hate.
The session, facilitated by Rev. Samuel Kyei-Berko, Executive Director of The Empowerment Institute, provided a safe space for students to explore how hate speech affects emotional well-being both online and offline.
Rev. Kyei-Berko’s session walked students through:
- The reality and rise of hate speech in society
- Its effect on youth mental well-being
- Emotional coping strategies and digital empathy
- How young people can champion kindness and psychological safety in their environments
Through real-life scenarios and guided reflection, students learned practical tools for resilience, empathy, and digital kindness.
This program is part of a larger mission to promote SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) building emotionally strong, peaceful communities.
With their voices heard and their hearts empowered, students left inspired to be ambassadors of empathy and change in their schools and beyond.
