About the organisation
Child Online Africa (COA) is a leading child-focused research and advocacy NGO based in Ghana and active across Africa. It champions policies and practices that protect children’s rights and welfare, with a strong focus on online safety, digital literacy and empowerment.
Using evidence-based advocacy, rights-based approaches and strategic partnerships, COA collaborates with governments, industry, educators and young people to create a safer, more positive digital environment. With support from the ITU Africa Regional Office and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), COA convenes Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) and runs awareness campaigns, capacity-building, and youth programmes such as Africa Digital Leaders.
Awareness centre
COA runs ongoing awareness campaigns for schools, media professionals and the public, plus social-media drives, media-literacy programmes and advocacy for child online safety.
Key activities include Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) and teacher/youth training that have reached tens of thousands.
Plans: host the inaugural Africa Children’s IGF in 2026, social media delay consultation based on COA’s current petition, and expand continental ASID outreach under the AU Child Online Safety Policy.
Helpline
COA does not provide a helpline currently.
Hotline
There is an IWF hotline service in Ghana, which is positioned at the police headquarters.
Youth participation
Building on three successful youth mobilisations at the Ghana IGF, COA is hosting the inaugural Africa Children’ s IGF in 2026. Through its Africa Digital Leaders programme, young people are trained as researchers to review Ghana’s CRC implementation. Having delivered their first report last year, they are now preparing a powerful follow-up to amplify children’s voices in digital policy.
About the organisation
Child Online Africa (COA) is a leading child-focused research and advocacy NGO based in Ghana and active across Africa. It champions policies and practices that protect children’s rights and welfare, with a strong focus on online safety, digital literacy and empowerment.
Using evidence-based advocacy, rights-based approaches and strategic partnerships, COA collaborates with governments, industry, educators and young people to create a safer, more positive digital environment. With support from the ITU Africa Regional Office and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), COA convenes Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) and runs awareness campaigns, capacity-building, and youth programmes such as Africa Digital Leaders.
Awareness centre
COA runs ongoing awareness campaigns for schools, media professionals and the public, plus social-media drives, media-literacy programmes and advocacy for child online safety.
Key activities include Africa Safer Internet Day (ASID) and teacher/youth training that have reached tens of thousands.
Plans: host the inaugural Africa Children’s IGF in 2026, social media delay consultation based on COA’s current petition, and expand continental ASID outreach under the AU Child Online Safety Policy.
Helpline
COA does not provide a helpline currently.
Hotline
There is an IWF hotline service in Ghana, which is positioned at the police headquarters.
Youth participation
Building on three successful youth mobilisations at the Ghana IGF, COA is hosting the inaugural Africa Children’ s IGF in 2026. Through its Africa Digital Leaders programme, young people are trained as researchers to review Ghana’s CRC implementation. Having delivered their first report last year, they are now preparing a powerful follow-up to amplify children’s voices in digital policy.
