Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make Ghana’s elections faster, reduce mistakes, and ensure fairness, says technology expert Dr. Kwami Ahiabenu. Speaking to The High Street Journal, he explained how AI could help the Electoral Commission (EC) improve its work and ensure election results are accurate and trustworthy.
Dr. Ahiabenu said AI systems can be trained to check important details like the number of voters, turnout, and rejected ballots.
“The power of AI lies in its ability to process large amounts of data and ensure the numbers reflect reality,” he said. This means AI can detect and correct problems quickly, saving time and reducing errors.
But he also pointed out that AI cannot yet be used to count votes in Ghana because ballots are not electronic. “For AI to count ballots, each paper would need to be electronic. We don’t have that,” he explained. Instead, AI can help at collation centers, where results from polling stations are gathered and checked.
Dr. Ahiabenu said Ghana must digitize its election process to fully use AI. This means scanning or recording ballots electronically and sending the data securely to AI systems for processing. He also said it is important to train EC staff and educate the public so people understand how AI works.
AI can also solve problems like ensuring results do not exceed the number of registered voters in a constituency. “The system will ensure that when the results are declared, the numbers do not exceed the number of voters in those constituencies,” he explained. This makes the process more accurate and reliable.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is mandated to declare election results within 72 hours after polls close. However, the EC has faced criticism for delays in result declaration, even when operating within this timeframe. For instance, in the 2024 general election, the EC declared the presidential winner without results from nine constituencies due to delays in collation and declaration processes.
These delays are often attributed to the manual, paper-based system currently in use, which can lead to bottlenecks at various stages, including polling stations and collation centers. Manual processes are prone to human errors, logistical challenges, and inefficiencies, all of which can prolong the time required to compile and verify results.
Additionally, issues such as late arrival of electoral materials and procedural inefficiencies have caused delays at polling stations. For example, during the 2023 District Level Elections in the Ashanti Region, some polling stations experienced significant delays in commencing voting due to the late arrival of materials.
Although using AI will require money for infrastructure and training, Dr. Ahiabenu believes it is worth it in the long run. “AI can minimize disputes and save the country from post-election tensions,” he said.
He suggested that Ghana start small by using AI at collation centers and expand its role as the election system becomes more digital. “Building on Ghana’s progress with biometric voter registration, AI can position the country as a leader in using technology for democracy.”
