Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has urged Ghana to establish a comprehensive national framework for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at transforming the economy, creating jobs, and enhancing public sector efficiency.
In a time when AI technology is revolutionising industries globally, he pointed out that Ghana is falling behind, not due to a lack of talent or innovative ideas, but because the country lacks a cohesive national strategy on AI.
Speaking at a lecture hosted by The University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra, Dr. Acheampong, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and formerly held the position of Minister of Food and Agriculture, emphasised the necessity of a structured vision that integrates AI into the country鈥檚 economic framework. His lecture was themed 鈥淎I Disruptions and the Future of Work: Readiness of our Youth.鈥
鈥淲ithout such a framework, we risk becoming permanent consumers of technologies developed in vastly different social and cultural contexts鈥攖ools built on datasets, assumptions and norms that may not resonate with or serve our realities,鈥 Dr. Acheampong warned.
Addressing concerns from workers and students about the potential job losses due to AI, he reassured his audience, stating, 鈥淎I may change jobs, but it does not erase human value. It replaces tasks, not people. It automates routine鈥攂ut it also amplifies creativity. The future doesn鈥檛 belong to machines. It belongs to humans who know how to work with machines.鈥
The lecture, part of UniMAC鈥檚 Distinguished Speakers Series organized by the Faculty of Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing (FOPAM), attracted notable figures including Prof. Christiana Hammond, Rector of the Institute of Journalism, Prof. Winston Abroampa, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and several other distinguished guests, including MPs and former government officials.
Dr. Acheampong cautioned that without a coordinated national policy, Ghana risks becoming overly reliant on imported technologies that may not align with local values or needs. He highlighted the importance of data sovereignty and called for AI systems deployed in Ghana to be transparent, inclusive, and accountable.
He noted that while some African nations, such as Rwanda, are advancing with national AI strategies鈥攊ntegrating AI into healthcare and agriculture鈥擥hana’s approach is still fragmented. Despite commendable progress in digital inclusion through mobile money and the Ghana Card initiatives, he argued that these efforts are insufficient to prepare the country for an AI-driven future.
鈥淓ven closer to home, Rwanda has launched a national AI policy and is integrating AI into healthcare diagnostics and agricultural planning. These developments raise an important question for us: where does Ghana stand in this rapidly changing landscape? To be honest, our position is not yet defined,鈥 he stated.
Dr. Acheampong dismissed fears that AI would completely replace human jobs, emphasizing the technology’s positive impact on critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and the creative industries. 鈥淚n agriculture, precision farming tools are helping to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. In education, AI-powered platforms are reshaping how students learn and engage with content. In the media and creative economy, algorithms are influencing content creation, distribution, and audience targeting,鈥 he explained. 鈥淕hana needs to catch up or fall behind.鈥
To bridge the gap in the AI revolution, he proposed a 鈥淕hana Skills for AI Transition Plan,鈥 which would include curriculum reforms, teacher training, and AI sandboxes that allow students to experiment with emerging technologies. 鈥淲e need to shift from passive learning to participatory, inquiry-based education that prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow,鈥 he said.
Dr. Acheampong outlined three fundamental pillars essential for Ghana鈥檚 successful adoption of AI: trust, skills, and institutional readiness. He stressed that building public trust in AI systems requires transparency and tangible benefits for the average Ghanaian while promoting adaptability and continuous learning.
The Dean of FOPAM, Rev. Yaw Odame Gyau, characterised Dr. Acheampong鈥檚 lecture as 鈥渁 wake-up call we cannot afford to ignore,鈥 reinforcing the urgency for Ghana to embrace AI for its future growth and development.