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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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Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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