Ghana’s public policy landscape is awash with brilliant ideas that, all too often, never see the light of day. While our nation boasts a plethora of fine policies, the reality is that many of these initiatives are gathering dust on shelves in various institutions and agencies. The chronic lack of policy harmonization, coupled with unrealistic implementation plans and inadequate resource allocation, leaves our strategies ineffective. Moreover, policies frequently take so long to develop that by the time they are ready for implementation, they become stale and irrelevant. To make matters worse, policy formulation is often conducted without concrete evidence, with rigid constructs that lack the flexibility and dynamism necessary for successful implementation.
Given this backdrop, one must ask: does Ghana really need more policies? More specifically, does Ghana need a National AI Policy? In today’s fast-evolving technological landscape, there are multiple approaches to AI policy formulation that reflect different regulatory philosophies and priorities. For example, the European Union has developed a comprehensive regulatory framework known as the EU AI Act—a risk-based system that classifies AI systems by potential harm, imposing strict requirements on high-risk AI while promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical development.
In contrast, the United Kingdom favors a lighter, more flexible approach that avoids strict regulations, instead offering sector-specific guidance. Meanwhile, the United States follows a decentralized, innovation-first strategy, relying on self-regulation and sectoral policies rather than an overarching legislative act. The approach in China stands in stark contrast to these market-driven models; it is a top-down, government-controlled strategy. China AI development is guided by the “New Generation AI Development Plan” (2017), aiming to make China the global AI leader by 2030.
When it comes to the vexed question of whether Ghana needs a national AI policy, the jury is still out. However, there is broad consensus that without a clear policy, Ghana risks falling behind in innovation and digital transformation. An AI policy is essential not only to align AI development with our national values, traditions, culture, data privacy, and ethical considerations but also to provide guidance on preventing misuse and biases in AI systems.
Moreover, AI presents millions of economic and job opportunities; it can drive growth, automate tasks, and create new industries. A well-crafted national AI policy could outline how AI can support job creation rather than merely replacing existing roles. Such a policy would also serve as a roadmap to attract international investors, tech companies, and researchers by establishing a stable regulatory environment where AI can thrive. Additionally, it could empower Ghana to leverage AI for improved governance, more efficient public administrative services, and enhanced delivery in sectors such as healthcare, security, and education.
In 2022, the government of Ghana embarked on the formulation of an AI policy aimed at positioning the country as a leader in AI within Africa. With support from partners like GIZ, the government developed the draft National AI Strategy (2023-2033), focusing on eight key pillars: expanding AI education and training, empowering youth for AI jobs, enhancing digital infrastructure, facilitating data access and governance, developing a robust AI ecosystem, accelerating AI adoption across sectors, investing in applied AI research, and promoting AI in the public sector.
In January 2025, Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George emphasized the government’s ambition to make Ghana Africa’s AI hub by 2028 by reviewing existing strategies and collaborating with global technology companies to foster innovation.
Yet, given Ghana’s track record of poor policy implementation, a radical overhaul in our approach to policy formulation is imperative. We need to adopt innovative, dynamic methods that modernize the policy formulation process. A bottom-up approach grounded in deep stakeholder consultation and the willingness to truncate policy development when tangible buy-in is lacking is a good starting point. For a subject as fluid as AI, agile policy labs and iterative development processes should be considered—using cross-sector innovation labs that employ agile methodologies and design thinking to develop rapid prototype policy ideas, run small-scale pilots, and refine proposals based on real-time stakeholder feedback.
Furthermore, crowdsourced digital deliberation, including interactive radio shows and online surveys, can tap into a broad spectrum of expertise and public opinion, ensuring that policies are inclusive, transparent, and reflective of current societal needs.
In conclusion, even though Ghana has a history of struggling with policy implementation, a radical, flexible approach is essential for the success of its National AI Policy. By making the policy practical, adaptable, inclusive, enforceable, and aligned with both societal and economic goals, Ghana can position itself as a leader in AI innovation and digital transformation.
