Professor Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has emphasized that AI has the potential to transform all sectors of the economy, including healthcare, agriculture, energy, transportation, and financial services.

Speaking at a stakeholder consultation event in Accra on the development of a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Prof. Kponyo stated that AI, if implemented effectively, could accelerate Ghana’s achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), build on existing digital frameworks, and position the country as a leader in Africa’s AI ecosystem.

The mission of the National AI Strategy, according to Prof. Kponyo, is to leverage AI for inclusive growth across sectors and to enhance the quality of life for all Ghanaians. He noted that the strategy envisions a transformed society in which AI empowers individuals, businesses, government, and institutions to drive global competitiveness and inclusive national development.

Highlighting the potential opportunities, Prof. Kponyo pointed out that AI can revolutionize service delivery, create jobs, and integrate Ghana into the global digital value chain. However, he acknowledged the challenges associated with AI implementation, including ethical risks such as bias, privacy concerns, security threats, and inequality. He also cited practical challenges such as lack of data, gaps in digital inclusion, and the risk of job displacement.

Despite these obstacles, Prof. Kponyo stressed the importance of establishing strong governance and policy frameworks to guide responsible AI deployment in Ghana.

Eight Pillars of the National AI Strategy

Prof. Kponyo outlined the eight core pillars of Ghana’s National AI Strategy:
1. Expand AI education and training
2. Empower youth for AI-related employment
3. Deepen digital infrastructure and inclusion
4. Facilitate data access and governance
5. Coordinate a robust AI community
6. Accelerate AI adoption across key sectors
7. Invest in applied AI research
8. Promote AI use within the public sector

To operationalize the strategy, Prof. Kponyo made several recommendations, including the launch of an “AI-Ready Ghana” programme, the expansion of AI-related courses and fellowships, provision of tax incentives for youth-led startups, and partnerships with cloud service providers. He also called for the enhancement of national data centers, enforcement of data governance policies, and the introduction of a Ghana Open Data Initiative.

Additional proposals included the establishment of AI innovation hubs, support for pilot AI projects, creation of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) Center of Excellence, investment in climate-smart research, and the training of public servants in AI tools and practices.

For effective implementation, Prof. Kponyo proposed the establishment of a Responsible AI Office within the first year of strategy adoption. This office would coordinate stakeholders, monitor progress, and ensure adherence to ethical standards. He cited countries like Singapore, Egypt, and the United Kingdom as models for Ghana to emulate in setting up such an office.

Adding to the discussion, Mr. Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of Minohealth AI Labs and Gudra AI Studio, projected that Ghana could add as much as $20 billion to its GDP through AI adoption. He noted that the country’s GDP in 2023 stood at $76.37 billion, with gold, cocoa, and oil contributing $7.6 billion, $1.1 billion, and $1 billion respectively.

“Unlike traditional sectors, AI offers a return on investment (ROI) of up to 6.4 times in just seven months,” he emphasized, arguing that AI has the potential to multiply the ROI of Ghana’s key export industries.

Mr. Akogo proposed the creation of a national AI fund ranging between $500 million and $1 billion to drive innovation and attract investor confidence. He urged for a more aggressive and strategic approach to implementing the national AI strategy to unlock its full economic potential by 2030.