The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has urged African nations to unite in developing a smart, sovereign, and sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem that embodies the continent’s values and future ambitions as he delivered an address to participants at the African Education Trust Fund (AETF) Conference in Accra.
Hon. Samuel Nartey George described the event as a landmark platform for dialogue on the role of AI in shaping Africa’s future, commending the organisers for convening experts, policymakers, and development partners to explore pathways for Africa’s digital advancement.
“We gather at a time when intelligent technologies are reshaping every aspect of our lives, from how we learn and work to how we govern and grow. Ghana is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation,” the Minister stated.
He highlighted Ghana’s leadership in AI adoption, noting that earlier in the year, the Ministry hosted the country’s first-ever AI Boot Camp for Cabinet Ministers. The initiative, he explained, sought to deepen executive understanding of AI’s potential and implications for national development.
According to him, the Boot Camp informed a bold directive from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, mandating that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) integrate the use of Artificial Intelligence by 2026.
“This directive is not just aspirational; it is actionable. It reflects our commitment to embedding AI across the public sector to enhance service delivery, policy formulation, and citizen engagement,” he affirmed.
The Minister further announced that Ghana has developed a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which provides a clear roadmap for ethical, inclusive, and innovative AI deployment. The strategy focuses on building robust digital infrastructure and data governance systems, supporting AI research and startups, promoting digital literacy and workforce readiness, and ensuring ethical standards that protect national interests.
To reinforce these efforts, Hon. Samuel Nartey George revealed that the Ministry has also drafted an Emerging Technology Bill, currently under stakeholder review. The Bill, once approved by Cabinet and laid before Parliament, will establish a legal and regulatory foundation for responsible innovation in emerging fields such as AI, blockchain, and quantum computing.
“We see these efforts not only as steps toward digital transformation but as part of a broader Reparations Agenda, a commitment to restoring Africa’s technological sovereignty and empowering our people through innovation,” he stated.
The Minister emphasised that Africa’s digital transformation must be guided by local innovation, ethical governance, and cross-sector collaboration. He praised the AETF Conference for creating a space where governments, academia, industry leaders, and development partners can co-create solutions that are African-led and globally relevant.
“As Minister, I reaffirm our commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that AI serves our people, reflects our values, and accelerates our development goals. We welcome collaboration, investment, and innovation, but we also insist on equity, inclusion, and respect for our digital sovereignty,” he noted.
The AETF Conference brought together delegates from across the continent to deliberate on advancing Africa’s AI agenda, fostering trust in digital technologies, and building human capacity for the future of work in an AI-driven world.
