The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, at the launch of the National AI Strategy Stakeholder Consultation Forum underscored the critical importance of the initiative in positioning Ghana within the rapidly evolving global digital landscape.
He highlighted that data is the new fuel and that the application of intelligence to this data through AI is what generates real value.
The Minister outlined the enormous potential of AI to transform various sectors including agriculture, healthcare, logistics, smart cities and financial inclusion.
He however stressed the accompanying responsibilities concerning ethics, data privacy, governance and inclusion, affirming the government’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is here and it is already reshaping our world”, the Minister stated emphatically.
Under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the government has set a clear ambition to make Ghana the AI Hub of Africa.
This vision is being supported by concrete steps, including the renaming of the Ministry to explicitly include Digital Technologies and Innovation.
The government is focused on investing in infrastructure, building strategic partnerships and shaping a policy environment conducive to innovation while safeguarding the interests of the people. A key component of this strategy is the One Million Coders Program, a bold national initiative that was launched on the 16th April.
The program aims to equip Ghana’s youth with the crucial digital skills needed to thrive in the global digital economy and is described as a national commitment and a social contract.
The Minister emphasised that this program is not an isolated effort but is deeply embedded within the National AI Strategy, ensuring that human capital development aligns with digital policy and infrastructure growth.
The National AI Strategy is anchored on Four (4) key priorities: Data as a National Asset: Recognising Ghana’s rich and diverse datasets in various sectors, the strategy aims to protect and strategically leverage these assets.
The Minister highlighted the importance of African genomic data in global research and how AI can help close existing gaps, necessitating careful data management and governance.
“The Ministry will collaborate with the Data Protection Commission to develop an Open Data Framework to ensure every Ghanaian benefits from their digital footprint safely, ethically and equitably”.
Compute Power: The Infrastructure of the Future: The strategy acknowledges computing power as the engine of the AI economy and emphasises the need to build robust digital infrastructure to support high-volume data processing and cloud-based innovation.
Efforts are underway to leverage national data centres, expand cloud infrastructure, promote regional cooperation for resource sharing, and foster public-private partnerships to bridge infrastructure gaps.
Talent Development: Building Ghana’s Digital Workforce: Recognising that human capital is the foundation of innovation, the One Million Coders Program is central to building a pipeline of AI engineers, data scientists, machine learning experts and digital product developers.
The strategy also includes equipping professionals in data protection, cybersecurity and civil servants with AI understanding for governance and service delivery. Governance, Policy, and Real-World Use Cases: The strategy prioritises the safe, transparent and purpose-driven development of AI, viewing governance as a tool to ensure real and measurable value for citizens.
The Minister cited tangible, high-impact use cases of AI in agriculture (predicting crop health), healthcare (faster diagnoses), education (personalised learning), transportation (improved safety), and defence and border security (enhanced surveillance).
The Minister reiterated Ghana’s ambition to not just benefit from AI but to become a leader in its development on the African continent. The commitment is clear: to position Ghana as the AI Hub of Africa, prepare its youth for the digital age and ensure AI drives prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all Ghanaians.
The forum is seen as a shared journey, with the Ministry welcoming the expertise and collaboration of all stakeholders to shape the path forward. Hon. Samuel Nartey George GIFECNational Communications Authority.
