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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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AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
