The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy aimed at positioning Ghana as a regional hub for digital innovation, has been launched with officials pledging a regulated and ethics-driven approach to deployment across public services and the wider economy.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation Samuel Nartey George said the strategy marks a coordinated national push to integrate AI into governance, health, education, agriculture and industry, while safeguarding privacy, fairness and accountability.
He said the policy reflects a broad collaboration between government, development partners and local institutions, adding that it is designed to ensure Ghana participates fully in the global shift toward intelligence-led economies rather than simply adopting imported systems.
The strategy is backed by international partners including GIZ, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNDP, UNESCO and UNICEF, alongside local institutions such as the KNUST Responsible AI Lab and the Data Protection Commission.
In his delivery, the minister acknowledged the input from industry leaders, academia, the judiciary and civil service agencies who helped shape the framework, which is intended to be implemented across ministries through designated AI focal officers.
A central component of the plan is a proposed Emerging Technologies Bill, which the ministry says will provide legal grounding for AI deployment and other frontier technologies. The government also plans to strengthen regulatory bodies including the National Information Technology Agency, the Cybersecurity Authority and the Data Protection Commission.
Samuel Nartey George said the administration is prioritising what he described as “responsible and ethical AI,” aligning national policy with global governance standards, including UNESCO’s AI frameworks. He added that Ghana would avoid “reckless adoption” of the technology.
The rollout follows earlier government-led initiatives, including an AI-focused civil service programme aimed at improving efficiency and decision-making across public institutions. Officials say ministries have already begun assigning focal persons to lead implementation efforts.
The strategy also ties into broader digital infrastructure expansion, including wider 4G and 5G connectivity, which the government views as essential to scaling AI systems nationwide. The next phase will focus on legislative approval, institutional capacity building and deployment of pilot AI systems across selected government services.
