President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy indicating a vision to position the country as a leading AI hub in West Africa and across the continent.
The National AI Strategy is expected to lead the country’s approach to artificial intelligence with focus on governance, innovation and capacity building to strengthen its position in the global digital economy.
Speaking at the launch, President Mahama mentioned that the strategy is a major milestone in the country’s journey to becoming a digitally empowered, innovation-driven and globally competitive nation.
“Our vision is therefore clear to position Ghana as a leading AI hub in West Africa and the wider continental region, driving innovation, creating jobs and strengthening institutions, and delivering inclusive national development,” he stated.
He stressed that the country aims to move beyond being a consumer of emerging technologies to becoming an active participant in shaping them.
“This is a significant milestone in our national journey towards a digitally empowered, innovation-driven and globally competitive Ghana.
It is also a statement of intent that Ghana will not be just a passive consumer of technologies shaping the future but that we are going to be an active participant in designing, governing and deploying them for our national transformation,” he said.
He further highlighted the government’s ambition to leverage artificial intelligence to drive economic growth, create jobs, strengthen institutions and promote inclusive development.
Preident Mahama emphasised that achieving this goal will require strong leadership and a deep understanding of digital tools at the highest levels of government, revealing that ministers and senior officials recently underwent a National AI bootcamp.
“This vision requires leadership from the top and that is why I recently packed all my ministers and senior government officials into the National AI bootcamp. That decision was deliberate. Leadership must understand the tools that will define our future,” he added.
Director of Grants and Research at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, has indicated key institutional proposals recorded in the strategy to support its implementation.
He mentioned that plans are underway to establish an independent, well-resourced AI Authority within the first year to oversee ethical AI deployment, monitor developments and coordinate implementation across sectors.
He proposed that the national AI office under the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation be managed through an inter-ministerial coordination and execution adding that the strategy further proposes the establishment of a National AI Fund to drive innovation and support long-term implementation.
By Florence Asamoah Adom