The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has reiterated the government’s commitment to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive national and continental development.
This was made known when the Deputy Minister, Hon. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, delivered a keynote address on his behalf at the official launch of AiAfrica Labs in Accra, which also saw the graduation of 250 Platinum AI Trainers at the Accra Digital Centre.
Hon. Sukparu emphasised the government’s readiness to work with private sector players, academia, and development partners to ensure that AI adoption in Ghana is inclusive, ethical, and transformative.
Commending the organisers, he noted that AiAfrica Labs is “localising and democratising AI for Africa’s development,” creating pathways for job creation, and transforming innovative ideas into market-ready products and services.
The 250 graduating Platinum AI Trainers, he said, who have been equipped with advanced AI competencies will help to support Ghana’s industries, institutions, and economic growth.
In his address, the Minister outlined key achievements in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, including:
1. One Million Coders Programme – 859 young Ghanaians trained in the pilot phase across Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga.
2. Draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy – developed with stakeholder input to guide responsible AI use in health, agriculture, education, and other sectors.
3. Review of the Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill – to strengthen the technology ecosystem.
4. Girls-in-ICT Programme – 1,000 girls trained this year towards a target of 3,000 to bridge the gender digital divide.
5. AI Ministerial Bootcamp – introducing Cabinet members to AI fundamentals.
6. Public Sector AI Training – preparing government agencies for AI integration.
7. Data Harmonisation Act (upcoming) – to regulate public sector data use and enable the creation of culturally sensitive Large Language Models that reflect Ghana’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
He stressed the importance of ensuring rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups are included in the AI transformation.
According to him, the launch of AiAfrica Labs was hailed as a milestone in Africa’s digital transformation, aligning with Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, which promotes productivity, digital enablement, and the development of a competitive, technology-driven workforce.
About the launch
The launch featured demonstrations of AI-powered innovations such as SmartChicken and SmartFish farming systems, which reduce livestock mortality rates to under 3% while doubling yields. Plans were also announced to extend the initiative to other African countries, starting with Nigeria and Kenya, as part of a broader cross-continent expansion.
AiAfrica Labs — a Pan-African initiative funded by the African Diaspora Central Bank in partnership with the Vanuatu Trade Commission–Ghana and implemented by the Knowledge Web Center — is designed to apply AI to 200 key sectors of Africa’s economy. These range from agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance to renewable energy, maritime, manufacturing, creative industries, and smart cities.
