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Embracing the Future: Ghana Launches National AI Strategy to Drive Innovation
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.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
