Ghana has officially launched its first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2035), marking a major step toward building a responsible, human-centred digital economy and positioning the country as a leader in AI innovation across Africa.
The landmark policy was unveiled in Accra by President John Dramani Mahama, who emphasised the need to localise artificial intelligence to reflect Ghanaian values, ethics, languages, and socio-economic realities.
‘AI must serve the people’ — Mahama
Describing the initiative as a turning point in Ghana’s development journey, Mahama said the country is determined to move beyond being a passive consumer of global technologies.
“This is a statement of intent that Ghana will actively participate in designing, governing and deploying technologies that shape our future,” he said, stressing that AI must be harnessed to improve living conditions and drive transformation across key sectors.
A 10-year roadmap for AI leadership
The strategy outlines a comprehensive framework focused on:
- Developing local AI talent and research capacity
- Expanding adoption across priority sectors
- Strengthening ethical, legal, and governance systems
- Ensuring inclusive access to digital opportunities
Artificial intelligence is expected to play a transformative role in healthcare, education, agriculture, financial services, and public administration.
Government to back AI with policy and legislation
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, said the strategy reflects a whole-of-government approach to national development.
He announced plans to integrate AI into public sector systems and introduce an Emerging Technologies Bill to provide a legal framework for responsible AI deployment.
“AI is not just a technology issue—it is a pathway to national development across all sectors,” he noted.
Institutions to drive governance and trust
Key regulatory bodies, including the Data Protection Commission and the Cyber Security Authority, are expected to play a central role in ensuring ethical oversight, data protection, and citizen safety as AI adoption accelerates.
Broad support for digital transformation
The launch brought together top government officials, industry leaders, academics, and development partners, signalling strong national backing for Ghana’s AI ambitions.
With the new strategy, Ghana joins a growing list of African nations adopting national AI frameworks to unlock economic growth, enhance digital inclusion, and strengthen global competitiveness.
As implementation begins, the focus will be on translating policy into action—ensuring AI delivers real-world impact for citizens while safeguarding ethical standards.
