By GhanaNewsPage 
Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has sent a strong message to global social media platform TikTok, urging the company to expand its role beyond just entertainment. His call follows a high-level engagement with a TikTok delegation, as he sets a new tone for digital transformation in Ghana.
The Future of Social Media: More Than Just Fun and Dance
While platforms like TikTok have grown popular for short videos and viral trends, the Minister made it clear that the time has come for these platforms to evolve into tools of education, innovation, and economic empowerment. He emphasized that while entertainment plays a key role in digital engagement, social media must now contribute to national development, knowledge transfer, and youth empowerment.
Speaking during a meeting with TikTok’s leadership in Accra, Hon. Sam George highlighted five key areas of concern and opportunity:
- Child Online Protection
- STEM and Educational Content
- Combating Misinformation and Hate Speech
- Empowering Digital Creators Through Training
- Fair and Transparent Monetization for African Content Creators
Stronger Protection for Children in the Digital Space
One of the top issues discussed was the protection of children from harmful content. The Minister emphasized the urgent need for strong child safety protocols, given the rising number of young users on TikTok. Inappropriate content, exposure to online predators, and mental health risks were identified as critical concerns.
Also Read: Adventist SHS Student Suzzy Adwoa Pinamang Regains Sight After Successful Eye Surgery in the UK
He urged TikTok to implement robust filtering systems, parental control options, and AI moderation tools to ensure that young users are shielded from damaging content. He also called for localized solutions that reflect the unique cultural and digital landscape of African youth.
Promoting STEM and Educational Content
Moving beyond entertainment, the Minister highlighted the importance of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) content on TikTok. He proposed partnerships that would align with national initiatives such as the One Million Coders Program, aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with coding and digital skills.
By expanding TikTok’s educational content, he noted that the platform could play a pivotal role in bridging the digital skills gap across the country. This includes curating content in local languages, creating explainer videos for students, and spotlighting African tech innovators.
Addressing Fake News and Harmful Narratives
Another pressing concern raised was the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech on social media platforms. The Minister stressed that TikTok must step up its efforts to monitor and remove false narratives, especially during election seasons and national emergencies.
He advocated for stronger content moderation policies, use of local fact-checking partners, and AI tools to flag fake news before it goes viral. Public trust in digital platforms, he explained, is heavily dependent on how well they can maintain information integrity.
Content Creators Need More Than Followers—They Need Support
Ghanaian content creators face a number of challenges, from low monetization payouts to a lack of training and access to global content networks. The Minister called for TikTok to invest directly in African creators by supporting boot camps, digital literacy workshops, and training programs that will teach creators how to grow their brand, monetize their work, and understand platform algorithms.
Currently, many local creators feel left behind compared to their counterparts in the West or Asia. The lack of brand partnerships, poor advertising revenue, and a limited understanding of platform tools are holding back some of the most creative talents on the continent.
Monetization and Fairness: A Call for Equity
One of the most urgent reforms needed is improved monetization options for African creators. Many influencers generate millions of views but receive little to no compensation due to limited ad reach or exclusion from creator funds.
The Minister urged TikTok to introduce region-specific creator funds, transparent revenue-sharing models, and tools that allow local creators to earn a living from their content. “If creators can’t earn, creativity will die,” he said, reinforcing the idea that digital platforms have a responsibility to support the ecosystems they thrive in.
Social Media as a Tool for Development
The meeting between the Ministry and TikTok signals a new direction for social media governance in Ghana. With a proactive Minister at the helm, there’s a clear push to reshape digital platforms into engines of national development.
The call is now for TikTok—and similar platforms—to respond not just with promises, but with concrete actions that support safety, education, and financial inclusion in the digital space. For Ghana’s creators, this could mark the beginning of a more fair, impactful, and prosperous digital future.
