The Chief Information Officer of MTN Ghana, Bernard Acquah, has called on businesses and technology leaders to move past fears that artificial intelligence (AI) will eliminate jobs, arguing instead that the technology is set to redefine work and enhance human productivity.
Speaking at the CTIO Roundtable Africa 2026 held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Mr. Acquah described AI as a transformative force comparable to electricity and the internet, noting that its impact will cut across all sectors of the economy.
He characterised AI as a “horizontal technology,” explaining that it will not be limited to a single industry but will reshape how organisations operate and how work is performed.
Citing projections from the World Economic Forum, Mr. Acquah noted that although about 92 million jobs could be displaced globally by 2030, an estimated 170 million new roles are expected to emerge, resulting in a net gain in employment.
He explained that routine and repetitive roles are the most vulnerable to automation, while jobs requiring critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making are likely to see increased demand.
“AI is supposed to enhance you, not replace you. It is about guiding you to do a better job,” he said, urging professionals to evolve from performing tasks to supervising and directing AI systems to achieve defined outcomes.
Mr. Acquah also highlighted the growing influence of “agentic AI,” describing it as a new class of autonomous systems capable of executing complex tasks with minimal human input.
He said this marks a significant shift from earlier technologies such as basic search tools, signalling a new phase in digital transformation.
However, he cautioned that the rapid advancement of AI comes with significant risks, including cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns, governance challenges, and the urgent need for workforce reskilling.
He stressed that organisations must adopt a balanced approach that addresses these risks while leveraging AI’s potential.
The MTN Ghana executive warned against blind reliance on AI-generated outputs, emphasising that human expertise remains critical in identifying errors and mitigating what are often referred to as “hallucinations” in AI systems.
“We are still accountable as leaders for what the tool does. AI is a tool; you cannot blame it if you didn’t guide it properly,” he said.
On the business front, Mr. Acquah urged technology leaders to justify AI investments based on clear value drivers, namely productivity improvements, cost savings, and revenue generation.
“No CFO invests in technology without asking how it drives revenue,” he noted, underscoring the importance of aligning AI adoption with measurable business outcomes.
His remarks add to growing calls within Ghana’s technology ecosystem for a more pragmatic and informed approach to AI adoption one that prioritises innovation, responsibility, and human capital development.
As organisations across sectors accelerate digital transformation, industry experts say the focus must remain on equipping workers with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven future, rather than resisting the technology.
