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‘Africa Must Not Surrender Its Humanity to Machines in the Name of Progress’
A Ghanaian Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert has issued a stark warning as the world rushes to embrace algorithmic governance: “Africa must not surrender its humanity to machines in the name of progress.”
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Co-Chair of the fourth Pan-African Artificial Intelligence and Smart Systems (PA-AISS) Conference and Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL), delivered the caution on Wednesday at the IDL Conference Centre, KNUST. The event brought together scholars, technologists, and policymakers from across the globe for the continent’s premier AI summit.
His call comes as nations worldwide race to appoint AI systems to cabinet positions and hand over critical governance decisions to algorithms—a trend Prof. Kponyo views with deep concern.
“AI should enable us to be better, not take over from us,” he declared before a packed auditorium, describing the global trend as a dangerous experiment fraught with ethical perils that demand urgent safeguards.
Prof. Kponyo noted that many countries are taking bold steps to integrate AI into public governance and key economic sectors, with some even appointing agentic AI systems as cabinet ministers.
“AI and smart systems offer tremendous potential in transforming the world, but we must ensure there are guardrails in their use so they do not pose an existential threat to humanity,” he cautioned.
“It is my strongest opinion that AI and emerging technologies should always enable humans to be better at what we do and not take over from us. There must always be human oversight in the deployment of emerging technologies, with safeguards to pull the plug should an agentic AI go rogue,” he emphasised.
The three-day conference (October 15-17) comes at a critical juncture, with Africa at a crossroads: to become a pioneer of responsible, home-grown AI solutions or remain perpetual consumers of foreign technologies designed without African realities in mind.
Prof. Kponyo highlighted KNUST’s leadership under Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Mrs) Rita Akosua Dickson, noting that the university has become a continental hub for responsible AI—championing ethical innovation rooted in community impact and aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 17 on global partnerships.
Drawing on insights from the recent AI for Africa Conference in Cape Town, he spotlighted the continent’s greatest asset: “Africa’s median age of 19 makes it the world’s youngest and most dynamic population—a demographic dividend that positions the continent for technological leadership.”
But that advantage, he warned, could be squandered without urgent investment in capacity building across AI, Quantum Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain technologies.
In a passionate appeal, Prof. Kponyo urged African intellectuals abroad to return home and help build the continent’s technological capacity.
“With the current geopolitics and hostile environment for academics abroad, it is time to come home so we build together,” he said, assuring diaspora scholars that KNUST remains a welcoming hub for innovation and growth.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson affirmed the university’s commitment to AI transformation, declaring that KNUST is ready to leverage AI across teaching, learning, research, and innovation.
“AI has come to stay,” Prof. Dickson stated, emphasising that students are being prepared to harness the technology responsibly as the institution positions itself at the forefront of Africa’s technological future.
The conference, organised by the RAIL team led by Dr Justice Owusu Agyemang, brought together experts to explore frameworks ensuring AI serves humanity rather than replacing it.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a woman identified as Arianna Naomi Mackey, an American citizen, claims she was kidnapped by five masked men, whom she alleges were officers of the Ghana Police Service on snap-check duty in Accra, and robbed her of some amount of money.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the video was recorded at a hotel in Accra where Ms. Mackey and two companions were staying.
According to the police, investigation also confirmed that they checked out of the hotel on December 5, 2025.Checks at the Kotoka International Airport also disclosed that she left Ghana on the same day.
The Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation. She indicated to Police that she was out of the country and she could not get the names of the alleged officers nor the number plate of the vehicle they were using.
Police further requested for the contact details of her friend in Ghana, who she said was with her during the time of the incident.
She, however, stated that her friend does not want to be involved in the investigation.
According to the police, she has since deleted the video on her page and further efforts by the Investigators to contact her through WhatsApp calls and messages have proved unsuccessful, as she has declined to respond and later blocked the team.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure her cooperation through appropriate diplomatic channels.
The Ghana Police Service has noted that it treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case.
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested three men believed to be part of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for abducting a 42-year-old man in Wapuli, a community in the Yendi District.
The suspects, Haruna Seidu, Amidu Bandi and Osman Bandi allegedly kidnapped the victim and demanded GH¢100,000 from his family for his release.
According to a police statement, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate were deployed to Wapuli after the incident was reported.
The team conducted surveillance and launched a rescue operation.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, police successfully rescued the victim and arrested the suspects after what was described as an intense exchange of gunfire.
The suspects were later taken into custody and are expected to be arraigned before court.
The Police said the a fourth suspect, who is believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, is currently on the run.
They urged the public to provide any information that may lead to his arrest.
By: Jacob Aggrey
