News
‘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 Volta North Regional Police Command has secured a conviction of a 27 year old man Mohammed Rafiu for making unlawful entry and stealing church musical instruments at Hohoe in the Volta Region.
On June 5, 2026 the accused was observed near the Faith International Ministry Church carrying a sack containing various items rushing to hail a car.
The witnesses suspected his action and approached to check the content in the sack. The following items were found, One (1) Amplifier, One (1) equalizer, One (1) mixer and
Cross-over Machine all belonging to the church.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Hohoe Police District where he admitted to police to the charges leveled against him.
On Monday June 8, 2026 the accused was put before the Hohoe circuit cout where he pleaded guilty on two counts and was convicted and sentenced to three (3) years for unlawful entry and four (4) years of stealing.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has urged the general public to immediately report any suspected criminal activities to the Police for action.
News
Dome-Kwabenya MP, Ga East MCE tour flood-prone areas in the constituency, assure victims of support
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, and officials of the assembly, have toured several flood-prone communities in the constituency to identify the causes of recent flooding and inspect structures obstructing waterways.
The inspection made on the Monday, 8th June, 2026 formed part of efforts to assess the extent of the flooding, identify structures built on waterways, and develop plans for their demolition to prevent future occurrences.
Some areas visited during the tour included Christian Village, Sesemi, Abokobi Station, Falaku and the Pure Water area, all of which were affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the constituency.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the MP expressed sadness over the destruction caused by the floods, noting that although no lives were lost, many residents had suffered significant property damage.
She attributed much of the flooding to human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the construction of buildings on waterways and drainage channels.
The MP appealed to residents to change their attitudes towards sanitation and environmental management, stressing that the country did not have a deficit of prayers but rather an attitude deficit.
She assured residents that the assembly and its technical team would immediately begin work to address some of the drainage challenges identified during the tour.
Ms. Akurugu sympathised with residents whose homes and businesses were affected by the floods and assured them that efforts were being made to secure relief items to support them.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, said the inspection was intended to take stock of the causes of the recent flooding, which he described as unprecedented.
According to him, the assembly wants to be proactive by identifying and addressing the factors responsible for the flooding before the next rainy season.
Mr. Agboh blamed part of the problem on the increasing number of structures being erected on waterways and drainage paths, as well as the failure of some residents to comply with building regulations.
He disclosed that many of the structures identified during the inspection would be marked for demolition after the necessary procedures had been completed.
The MCE further announced plans to intensify inspections, particularly on weekends, explaining that some developers often undertake unauthorised construction works on Saturdays and Sundays when assembly officials are not at work.
He said the assembly would collaborate with neighbouring jurisdictions and deploy additional resources to improve drainage systems and reduce flooding in the municipality.
The MCE assured that the assembly will use the findings from the inspection to implement immediate and long-term measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting lives and property in Dome-Kwabenya.
The Director of Works at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Engineer Justine Glover, said the team inspected several critical locations along the Dakobi River and other flood-prone areas.
He explained that at Pantang Village, officials directed contractors to excavate and open blocked culvert outlets to allow the free flow of water during rainfall.
At Sesemi, he said the team observed extensive damage caused by upstream developments and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.
Engineer Glover added that officials recommended dredging drainage channels at Abokobi Station to improve the performance of existing culverts.
He further revealed that some structures identified on waterways at Falaku had been earmarked for demolition as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of water.
In addition to the inspection, the MP and the MCE visited residents affected by the floods in the Pure Water area to offer words of encouragement and assure them of support.
The tour also revealed that many residents had constructed buildings on waterways, while several structures lacked the required building permits, a situation officials said had contributed significantly to the flooding experienced in the constituency.
By: Jacob Aggrey
