Media personality and mother of four, Kokui Selormey, has urged parents to stop avoiding uncomfortable conversations with their children—especially on topics such as sex, body awareness, and digital exposure—warning that silence can be more dangerous than discomfort.
Speaking at A Convergence of Mothers in Accra, Kokui made a strong case for open, age-appropriate discussions at home. She noted that children today live in an internet-driven world where information—accurate or not—is constantly at their fingertips.
“Children as young as five are already sexually aware,” she said. “We have to stop giving body parts nicknames or acting like certain topics are forbidden. If you’re not talking to your children, someone else is—whether it’s a friend, a stranger, or the internet.”
Kokui revealed that her parenting strategy involves frequent check-ins and guided conversations with each of her four children, aged between five and fourteen.
She encourages them to come to her first with anything they’ve seen or heard, so she can shape their understanding from a place of truth.
“I like to lead with, ‘So what do you know about this?’ They always surprise me. It can be shocking, but I’d rather they hear it from me first than pick up false or harmful information elsewhere.”
She added that the desire to protect children must also include accountability and honesty—even admitting when the child may be the problem.
“Let’s be honest: not every child is innocent. Sometimes your child could be the bad influence. If we’re unwilling to accept that possibility, we may be failing them.”
Kokui emphasized that parenting in today’s digital age requires patience, intentionality, and the courage to have what she called “man-in-the-mirror conversations”—confronting both the child’s behavior and the parent’s own blind spots.
“Being a parent today means guiding your child to survive the world as it is, not as we wish it were. That means honest talk, active listening, and being available—even for the uncomfortable stuff.”
The event, organized by media personality MzGee and themed “Yesterday’s Daughters, Today’s Mothers,” brought together mothers across generations to reflect on their parenting journeys. The forum featured open conversations and expert sessions on motherhood, parenting, mental health, legal responsibilities, and more—within Ghana’s evolving social context.
AM/KA
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