Ghana and much of Africa are falling behind in keeping pace with global technological innovation due to weak policy implementation, fragmented continuity across governments, low investment, and a lack of trained technical talent, according to Dr. Eugene Frimpong, a data analytics and AI expert.
Speaking in an interview with The High Street Journal on Africa’s readiness for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, Dr. Frimpong offered a historical perspective on Ghana’s digital policy journey. He cited the 2008 launch of the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), a landmark in tech incubation, and the formulation of the National Science and Technology Policy in 2010 under the Mills administration, followed more recently by the 2022 National AI Strategy. However, he stressed that Ghana’s core problem is not policy design but execution.
“We do very well in drafting the laws. But the implementation is a problem,” he said.
Despite political goodwill across different administrations, he noted that institutional inertia and lack of continuity between governments have left many digital and innovation strategies either dormant or abandoned. The Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill, in development since 2018, remains unpassed and underfunded, a stark contrast to the pace of innovation globally.
AI Readiness Undermined by Weak Infrastructure and Human Capital
Dr. Frimpong said Ghana’s AI aspirations are premature, given its slow digital maturity. While 34 African countries have some form of data governance legislation, only three, Kenya, Rwanda, and Mauritius, have launched formal AI policies. Even in Ghana, the national AI strategy lacks implementation funding or a clear execution framework.
“AI is an expensive venture… Countries are spending approximately 3% of their GDP on innovation. In Ghana, we are averaging about 0.4%,” he noted.
He added that Africa’s broader challenge is not only policy but also infrastructure and workforce readiness. “Even basic training like Excel is lacking,” he said, pointing to the skills gap that makes adoption of complex technologies like AI difficult.
Private Sector Can’t Bridge the Gap Alone
While companies such as MTN are pushing digital training programmes, training over 1,250 employees through the Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI) over the past year, more than any other Microsoft customer in Africa, Frimpong argued this is not enough.
“The private sector can participate, but they still need to be regulated by the public sector. The policy, funding, and protection of intellectual property all have to be managed by the government,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration between universities, government, and industry to commercialize research and bridge the “information transfer gap.” While African universities produce research, it often ends up shelved without being developed into viable products or commercial applications.
A Call for Human-Centered AI
Frimpong also pointed to examples of human-centered AI already in use, such as Agrocenta, a Ghanaian company using AI to help farmers predict weather and connect with markets. He argued that visible, grassroots applications of AI could build public demand and force companies to innovate.
“When people see that AI is benefiting them, it’s going to force the companies to be more innovative,” he said.
But to reach that point, customers, he added, must demand better services, and governments must create the right environment for competition, especially in sectors like telecoms where few players dominate the market.
No Shortcuts to AI Maturity
Drawing comparisons with the U.S., Frimpong highlighted the scale of investment required to achieve AI-driven economic transformation. He cited the U.S. CHIPS Act of 2022, a $250 billion initiative aimed at boosting semiconductor production and AI capacity, far beyond anything currently seen in Africa.
“In our case, Ghana, we probably prepared very nice documents, but there is no money backing the bill,” he said.
Despite progress in areas like fintech, Frimpong argued that Africa is still “crawling” when it comes to AI and big data.
With global competition accelerating, he concluded, Africa’s window to leapfrog via innovation is shrinking, unless policymakers, institutions, and the private sector align around a clear, funded roadmap for technology adoption.
About Dr. Frimpong
Dr. Eugene Frimpong is a seasoned data analytics and AI expert with over two decades of experience across sectors including media, telecom, insurance, health, and retail. He specializes in converting complex data into insights that drive strategy and digital transformation.
He has led cross-functional teams in developing machine learning tools, notably a predictive model that cut life insurance record requests by 15%. Dr. Frimpong holds a DBA in Data Analytics and is skilled in Python, R, SQL, SAS, Tableau, and SPSS, with expertise in advanced modeling techniques like neural networks and decision trees.
His career spans roles at four Fortune 500 firms, Citigroup, Principal Financial Group, Aviva USA, and Legal & General America, and advisory work in Ghana. He also organized Ghana’s first Big Data Analytics Seminar and remains committed to data literacy, sustainable development, and community empowerment through farming and philanthropy.contact; [email protected]
