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Embracing the Future: Ghana Launches National AI Strategy to Drive Innovation
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The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George (MP), at the launch of the National AI Strategy Stakeholder Consultation Forum underscored the critical importance of the initiative in positioning Ghana within the rapidly evolving global digital landscape.
He highlighted that data is the new fuel and that the application of intelligence to this data through AI is what generates real value.
The Minister outlined the enormous potential of AI to transform various sectors including agriculture, healthcare, logistics, smart cities and financial inclusion.
He however stressed the accompanying responsibilities concerning ethics, data privacy, governance and inclusion, affirming the government’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept. It is here and it is already reshaping our world”, the Minister stated emphatically.
Under the leadership of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the government has set a clear ambition to make Ghana the AI Hub of Africa. This vision is being supported by concrete steps, including the renaming of the Ministry to explicitly include Digital Technologies and Innovation.
The government is focused on investing in infrastructure, building strategic partnerships and shaping a policy environment conducive to innovation while safeguarding the interests of the people. A key component of this strategy is the One Million Coders Programme, a bold national initiative that was launched on the April 16,2025
The programme aims to equip Ghana’s youth with the crucial digital skills needed to thrive in the global digital economy and is described as a national commitment and a social contract.
The Minister emphasised that this programme is not an isolated effort but is deeply embedded within the National AI Strategy, ensuring that human capital development aligns with digital policy and infrastructure growth.
The National AI Strategy is anchored on Four (4) key priorities: Data as a National Asset: Recognising Ghana’s rich and diverse datasets in various sectors, the strategy aims to protect and strategically leverage these assets.
The Minister highlighted the importance of African genomic data in global research and how AI can help close existing gaps, necessitating careful data management and governance. “The Ministry will collaborate with the Data Protection Commission to develop an Open Data Framework to ensure every Ghanaian benefits from their digital footprint safely, ethically and equitably”.
Compute Power: The Infrastructure of the Future: The strategy acknowledges computing power as the engine of the AI economy and emphasises the need to build robust digital infrastructure to support high-volume data processing and cloud-based innovation. Efforts are underway to leverage national data centres, expand cloud infrastructure, promote regional cooperation for resource sharing, and foster public-private partnerships to bridge infrastructure gaps.
Talent Development: Building Ghana’s Digital Workforce: Recognising that human capital is the foundation of innovation, the One Million Coders Program is central to building a pipeline of AI engineers, data scientists, machine learning experts and digital product developers.
The strategy also includes equipping professionals in data protection, cybersecurity and civil servants with AI understanding for governance and service delivery. Governance, Policy, and Real-World Use Cases: The strategy prioritises the safe, transparent and purpose-driven development of AI, viewing governance as a tool to ensure real and measurable value for citizens.
The Minister cited tangible, high-impact use cases of AI in agriculture (predicting crop health), healthcare (faster diagnoses), education (personalised learning), transportation (improved safety), and defence and border security (enhanced surveillance).
The Minister reiterated Ghana’s ambition to not just benefit from AI but to become a leader in its development on the African continent. The commitment is clear: to position Ghana as the AI Hub of Africa, prepare its youth for the digital age and ensure AI drives prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all Ghanaians.
The forum is seen as a shared journey, with the Ministry welcoming the expertise and collaboration of all stakeholders to shape the path forward.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon across the capital.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, the Assembly directed traders, shop owners, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organisations and residents to keep their shops and business premises closed during the exercise.
The AMA explained that the clean-up would focus on desilting drains, clearing choked gutters and waterways, sweeping public spaces and evacuating refuse.
According to the statement, the exercise will take place in all sub-metros, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within the metropolis.
The Assembly indicated that the exercise forms part of its efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, prevent flooding and encourage residents to take responsibility for keeping the city clean.
It called on all residents and business operators to participate actively by cleaning their surroundings, desilting drains, clearing frontage areas and removing refuse.
The AMA warned that strict enforcement measures would be applied during the exercise.
It stated that persons who fail to participate, obstruct the exercise or engage in trading activities during the clean-up period would be arrested, fined, prosecuted before the sanitation court or sanctioned under the Assembly’s bye-laws.
The Assembly therefore urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully and support the clean-up exercise to promote a cleaner, healthier and safer Accra.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned tourism advocate, and Deputy Chief ExecutiveOfficer (CEO) of Ghana TourismAuthority (GTA), Abeiku Santana, has expressed gratitude to Tourism and Hospital (TOHO) Africa after being recognised among outstanding personalities for his contributions to tourism and hospitality on the continent.
In a statement following the announcement, Santana said he was “deeply honoured and sincerely grateful” for the recognition, but stressed that the award was not about him alone.
“This honour is not a personal achievement but a testament to the collective efforts of everyone I have had the privilege to work with over the years,” he stated.
The Deputy CEO of GTA dedicated the recognition to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Ghana Tourism Authority, his colleagues, industry stakeholders, the media, his family, and “every Ghanaian who believes in the power of tourism to transform lives and drive national development.”
Mr.Aggrey reaffirmed his commitment to championing sustainable tourism and promoting Ghana’s rich culture and heritage.
He added that he will continue working with partners across Africa to position the continent as “the world’s preferred destination for tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.”
He also congratulated all other personalities recognised in the *
TOHO100 list.
“Thank you, TOHO Africa, for this honour. Congratulations to all the outstanding personalities recognised,” he said.
The TOHO 100 recognises 100 leading figures in tourism leadership and hospitality across Africa who are driving growth, innovation, and destination marketing on the continent.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
