‘Sir’ Ms Odame said when David As­ante answered the call, ‘my name is Victoria Odame. I’m a teacher at Research School in Koforidua. I would like to come and see you concerning a student called Sarah’.

”Okay, madam. I would be very glad to meet you. How can I make your trip easier?’

‘I was going to join a bus to Ac­cra’.

‘Here’s what we will do. Take a taxi and ask them to bring you to Accra. I will speak to the driver, give him the directions and pay him when you get here’.

The taxi stopped in front of the house. The gate opened, and the driver moved to the long driveway and stopped. ‘What a beautiful house?’ He said.

David and Adoma came out to meet them. Adoma paid the driver as David and Sarah stared at each other.

‘Please come in and sit down’, Adoma invited. She served them with water.

‘You are welcome’, Adoma continued. We have been waiting anxiously since you called this morning. So please, let’s hear you’. Before she could open her mouth, Sarah rose, moved to David, hugged him and sat on his lap’.

They both broke into tears. Adoma and Ms Odame also broke into tears.

‘Sorry madam’ David said. ‘This whole episode has been a very dif­ficult one. But let’s do the proper thing. Let’s hear you first, and I will also speak. I’m sure we need to answer some questions immedi­ately’.

‘Okay sir. I have been taking an interest in Sarah, because although she’s brilliant academically, she seemed to be troubled.

Following my discussions with her and some whispers I had been hear­ing, I went to Aboso Senior High School, and spoke to your former colleague, Mr Hanson. He told me that you were an exemplary teach­er who was loved by all, and he also told me about the unfortunate events that caused you to leave for Germany. So I returned to Koforidua with the view to finding the appro­priate means of helping to solve this problem’.

‘Great. Ms Odame, I have to thank you for finally helping us to solve this problem. Now, let me state the facts. This is what happened.

‘Gladys and I met and got married whilst we were both teachers in the school. Some months into our mar­riage, she told me that she needed to spend some days with her par­ents, and I agreed.

It turned out that she was actually spending time in a hotel with her ex-boyfriend, Simon. This happened again, after Sarah was born. I got wind of this, and told her that I was no longer interested in the marriage.

I started preparing to travel to Germany. She pleaded for forgive­ness, but I stood my ground. Then she told me that she would punish me for rejecting her.

She came out later to say that Sarah was not my child, but Si­mon’s. She went and hid her some­where, obviously expecting that I would fight to take my child. I was actually going to do that, but my parents advised me that it was al­most impossible to win such a fight.

They advised that difficult as it sounded, I should leave the child with her, because she would come back to me eventually. I have absolutely no problem taking care of you, Sarah. I am taking care of quite a number of kids who are not mine. So that is what happened. My hands were tied. I have been trying to find out how you are doing.

I kept hearing that you were doing well at school. I also heard that Gladys and her husband were having problems, but I kept hoping that my daughter would at least be okay till it was possible for me to go for her’.

‘Sarah, now you have met your dad. You will be free to …’

‘I’m not going anywhere! ‘ she declared as she held on to him’.

‘You don’t have to worry about that, Sarah’, Adoma said. ‘We have been looking forward to the day you come home. This is your home. Now, you have to meet your sib­lings’. She called Abrefi and Adaa­wa.

‘Girls, we told you that you have a sister who would join us anytime. Now here is she’.

‘Sarah?’ Abrefi asked.

‘Yes’, Adoma replied. The girls hugged her and took her away.

‘Now’, David said, ‘I think it is time to call Madam Gladys’. He dialed the number.

‘My name is David Asante. I’m here in my house with my daughter Sarah. I hear you have told her all sorts of crazy stories about me. I could make life very difficult for you, but I won’t.

You are your own worst enemy. I don’t think you should be expecting her anytime soon. What do you say?’

Gladys stayed silent for over a minute, and cut the line.

‘Food is ready’, Adoma an­nounced. ‘Everybody please come to the table’.

Sarah chatted excitedly with her siblings as Adoma and David chatted with Ms Odame. She kept staring at her father.

‘Now, Ms Odame, after you have brought such joy into our home, should we allow you to go back to Koforidua today, or should we wait till we are ready to release you? I could call your husband and ask permission.

And please don’t tell me you didn’t bring anything for an over­night stay. There are several super­markets around here. We can fix that problem quickly’.

‘I will beg you to release me. Now that I have been so warmly wel­comed here, I already feel part of this home. Koforidua is not that far away, so I will visit often’.

‘Well, let’s see what the kids have to say. Ladies, shall I release Ms Odame to go back to Koforidua? ‘

‘No!’ They shouted, and all broke into laughter.

‘Ms Odame, I will have mercy on you. But we are going to do some­thing to make it easy for you to visit us. My wife wants to show you something. Please follow her’.

‘Adoma led her to the driveway as they others followed. They stopped in front of the car.

‘This is a Toyota Corolla 1600. It is very reliable, and good on petrol consumption. We are giving this to you in appreciation of your help in getting our daughter back to us.

And here in this envelope, is a little contribution to help you with maintenance. And here in this other envelope is a gift to help with your children’s school fees’.

As she stood, stunned, and stared from the car to the envelopes, Da­vid put his hand around his family’.

‘Let’s leave her to take a look at her car. Ms Odame, one of my drivers will drive you to Koforidua and leave your car with you. We are waiting inside’.

Sorry madam’ David said. ‘This whole episode has been a very dif­ficult one. But let’s do the proper thing. Let’s hear you first, and I will also speak. I’m sure we need to an­swer some questions immediately

By Ekow de Heer

ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is no more a remote concept for organisations in Ghana. Recent research has highlighted the signifi­cant impact AI is having in remodel­ling workplaces in Ghana, unveiling a mix of opportunity, anxiety, and a pressing call for coordinated na­tional response. A study focusing on a Ghanaian service organisation in the advertising industry investigated how AI influences employee skills development. The results paint a picture of a technological shift that is rapidly gaining ground in the local workplace, albeit with mixed impli­cations for the workforce.

AI and employee upskilling: A double-edged sword

The study found a statistically sig­nificant, though moderate, positive relationship between AI deployment and employee upskilling. Employees exposed to AI technologies were more likely to enhance their capbil­ities—particularly in areas such as data analysis, digital literacy, and continuous learning. This finding aligns with global trends where AI is facilitating learning adaptation and professional growth.

However, the research also pointed out a sobering reality that AI adoption often comes together with workforce downsizing. The data showed a strong correlation between AI implementation and employee redundancies, raising red flags about job security for many Ghanaians.

“While AI can help employees do their jobs more effectively, it also automates tasks that previously required human effort”, the author noted. “This duality—simultane­ously empowering and displacing workers—is at the heart of the AI debate.”

Organisational relevance and the AI imperative

Despite these challenges, organ­isations embracing AI are seeing positive results in terms of rele­vance and competitive advantage. The study confirmed a statistically significant relationship between AI adoption and organisational effec­tiveness, though the influence was not overwhelmingly strong. This suggests that while AI can enhance efficiency, it must be strategically integrated into business models to be fully effective.

Yet, many Ghanaian companies, especially SMEs, remain hesitant. Barriers such as lack of technical infrastructure, fears of losing con­trol to algorithms, and low digital literacy rates hamper widespread adoption. This is echoed in South Af­rican and broader African contexts, where similar patterns of resistance and slow uptake prevail.

Current AI issues in the Ghanaian workplace

Ghana faces several unique challenges in integrating AI into its workplaces:

Unlike Kenya or Rwanda, Ghana lacks a clear national AI policy or roadmap. This absence of legal frameworks and guidelines hinders sustainable, responsible AI imple­mentation.

The study revealed that while some staff have received training— primarily on Microsoft 365 Copilot— many are limited in their exposure. This creates a lopsided workforce where a few benefit, and many lag behind.

The largest demographic in the study (27.5 per cent) was aged 18–25. Without deliberate interven­tions, this youth cohort faces a high risk of being left behind by AI-driven changes.

Employee sentiment toward AI is mixed—13 per cent expressed enthusiasm, while over 20 per cent were wary or pessimistic. This shows the emotional toll and uncertainty surrounding AI’s future role in jobs.

The way forward

To harness AI’s benefits while min­imising its risks, Ghana must adopt a strategic, inclusive approach:

The government should develop a comprehensive AI framework that supports innovation while protecting workers’ rights. Such a policy should include data protection laws, ethi­cal AI guidelines, and incentives for private sector adoption.

Organisations must invest heavily in upskilling and reskilling employ­ees. These programmes should not just focus on technical skills but also foster soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and digital literacy.

Educational institutions should embed AI and digital economy topics into basic, secondary, and tertia­ry curricula. Producing AI-literate graduates is key to future-proofing the workforce.

Collaboration between govern­ment, industry, and academia is essential to pool resources, share expertise, and drive AI readiness across sectors.

As AI transforms work, employers must provide psychological support and foster inclusive environments. Change management strategies are essential to guide employees through this transition.

Conclusion

AI is here to stay, and Ghanaian workplaces are beginning to feel its presence. While the promise of enhanced productivity and competi­tiveness is real, so are the threats of job loss and exclusion. The research findings make it clear: the future of work in Ghana must be one where technology and human development evolve together. Without deliber­ate, inclusive policies and strategic foresight, the country risks widening inequality and stifling innovation. But with the right investments and political will, Ghana can turn AI from a threat into an engine of inclusive economic growth.

The writer is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Professional Studies Accra.

Artificial intelligence helps employees to do their jobs effectively

By Esther J.K Attiogbe (PHD)