A $250 million investment to establish a national artificial intelligence computing center has been approved by cabinet in a move aimed at accelerating innovation and positioning the country as a regional hub for AI development.
The facility will support research, development and deployment of AI across sectors including agriculture, healthcare and education, according to Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
The announcement was made at a stakeholder engagement on Ghana’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, organized by the Ministry of Communication Digital Technology and Innovations in partnership with UNESCO and backed by the European Union.
The investment forms part of a broader strategy to deepen Ghana’s digital economy, supported by high mobile penetration levels exceeding 110% and about 38 million subscriptions nationwide, which officials say provide a foundation for scaling AI applications.
The minister said the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has also received cabinet approval and will be launched on April 24, marking what he described as a turning point in Ghana’s policy framework.
“Today marks a decisive step in Ghana’s path toward a responsible, innovative, and globally competitive Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem,” he stated. He said the strategy will guide adoption across industries ranging from financial services to agriculture while embedding governance and ethical safeguards.
According to the minister, the UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment provides a framework for evaluating preparedness across governance, infrastructure, data systems and research capacity, with findings expected to shape implementation plans.
He identified four priorities: strengthening data governance, investing in AI research and computing infrastructure, expanding digital skills and embedding ethical safeguards in deployment.
Ghana’s position as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat was also cited as a strategic advantage in building a digital trade ecosystem across the continent.
“The decisions and commitments we make today will have far-reaching implications and will shape Ghana’s technological future for decades to come,” he said. Director General of the Data Protection Commission Ghana, Arnold Kavaarpuo, said Ghana is positioning itself to advance AI adoption while safeguarding ethical standards and institutional values.
Secretary-General of the Ghana Commission for UNESCO, Osman Tahidu-Damba, said the readiness assessment offers a structured framework for evaluating policy, infrastructure, human capacity and societal impact. Edmond Moukala, speaking at the event, emphasized the need for strong institutions to underpin digital transformation.
“strong institutions are the bedrock of any successful digital transformation. For the government officials present from various ministries, ranging from Health and Education to Justice and Agriculture, this methodology is designed to support your unique mandates”. He added that effective AI governance requires coordination across sectors and adaptive regulatory systems.
He further said that AI governance requires a multi-sectoral approach and demands that our regulatory bodies are as agile as the technologies they oversee, ensuring that every citizen, from the entrepreneur in Accra to the farmer in the Northern Region, is protected by frameworks of transparency, accountability, and reliability.
He concluded; “let today’s validation be the catalyst for action. Let this report guide your investments, inform your policies, and shape your collaborations. Together, we can ensure that Artificial Intelligence in Ghana is a tool for flourishing, an instrument of justice, and a legacy for the generations of Ghanaians to come”.
He noted that “Today, as we validate the roadmap for Ghana’s digital future, we acknowledge the weight of our shared responsibility, We are not just building technological systems; we are building the future social contract of the Ghanaian nation”.
Moukala further noted that the validation of the readiness assessment report reflects both national priorities and broader continental ambitions, as governments seek to harness AI while managing risks tied to governance, data protection and inclusion.
The initiative signals a shift toward embedding advanced digital infrastructure within public policy, as Ghana joins other African economies seeking to leverage AI to drive growth and competitiveness.
