Why Ghana must be intentional about AI adoption: Reflections on progress, people, and priorities

I’ve been reflecting deeply on the accelerating role of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it means for our society; not just in theory or policy, but in our everyday lives.

The conversations around AI tend to feel far removed from the rhythms of daily existence in even our key cities of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale or Takoradi, but I believe we are at a turning point, and we must choose wisely.

The collision of global tech and Ghanaian realities

Recently, I came across a tweet that stirred something in me. It referenced a LinkedIn comment by a South African lawyer, Sazi Tshangana, who wryly noted that while American lawyers are panicking about being replaced by AI, in parts of South Africa, intersections are still manned by human traffic officers rather than automated traffic lights. It’s funny, yes, but also profoundly telling.

The same happens in Ghana. I often come across policemen and sometimes even community volunteers manually directing traffic, even at intersections where traffic lights exist. It’s not always because the infrastructure is absent; sometimes the lights are simply not working, or the situation is too chaotic for automation to handle. But deeper than that, it reflects a kind of trust in human discretion and presence. There’s something reassuring, even if inefficient, about seeing a uniformed officer using hand signals to bring order to morning rush-hour madness. It’s a reminder that technology doesn’t always replace—it sometimes just coexists.

And think about how we handle money. Despite the proliferation of ATMs and mobile banking apps, many Ghanaians still prefer to withdraw cash from mobile money (MoMo) vendors. Often, these vendors are just metres away from a bank or ATM. Why? Because it’s faster, friendlier, and more flexible. You don’t need to enter a PIN on a machine, you just make a call or send a code. You might even chat with the vendor about last night’s football match while you wait. It’s transactional, yes, but also social. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about comfort and familiarity.

A purely AI-driven financial system—one that prioritises digital wallets, chatbots, and facial recognition over human interaction—might feel alien or even exclusionary to a large segment of the population.

These examples aren’t about technological backwardness. They reveal something deeper about how we navigate trust, community, and service. AI, by its very nature, is built to optimize. But human life, especially in Ghana, isn’t always about efficiency. Sometimes it’s about empathy. Sometimes it’s about flexibility. Sometimes it’s about being seen and heard.

The juxtaposition of first-world anxieties with third-world infrastructural realities reveals an important truth: the conversation around AI cannot be divorced from context. And for Ghana, context is everything.

The promise: Where AI could transform Ghana

Let’s start with the potential. AI is not inherently bad. In fact, it offers some of the most exciting prospects for transformation we’ve seen in decades.

Consider agriculture. With AI, we could develop precision farming tools that help farmers predict rainfall patterns, detect pest infestations early, and optimise yields. In a country where agriculture remains the backbone of our economy – employing over 30% of our workforce – this is no small gain.

Similarly, in healthcare, AI-powered diagnostic tools could be game-changers, especially in rural communities where there is a chronic shortage of doctors. My friend, Darlington Akogo, is building something wonderful in the space with his minoHealth AI Labs.

And in education, adaptive learning platforms could help bridge learning gaps for students in under-resourced schools. I have come across a number of budding platforms through the Mastercard Foundation and the work of good friend, Gerhard Malah at MEST.

Government initiatives: Steps, but not strides

The recently elected government of President John Mahama, who returned to office in January 2025, touches on AI in its 2024 manifesto, but in a limited, targeted fashion.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government promises to leverage AI to modernise public fiscal systems, enhancing transparency and efficiency in government. More ambitiously, the manifesto includes a $3 billion Digital Jobs Initiative, aiming to train one million youth in coding and digital skills, and to develop Zonal ICT Parks as hubs for innovation, cybersecurity, and yes—artificial intelligence. Ghana, they say, could become a tech hub for the continent.

There has also been the strange and unfathomable promise of using AI to fight against the menace of galamsey (illegal mining); but frankly, I cannot envisage how that would play out or even be initiated in the first place.

It’s a promising start, but also telling in its narrowness. While the government recognises AI’s role in revenue systems and youth employment, there’s no clear strategy for what AI means for the wider economy or informal sector. There’s silence on labour displacement, ethical safeguards, or what it takes to ensure AI actually improves livelihoods for everyone, not just the coders and developers.

And that’s where my caution kicks in.

The peril: AI’s threat to Ghana’s economic fabric

Ghana is a country where youth unemployment is already a ticking time bomb. Many university graduates spend years without jobs, and even among the employed, job security is precarious. Informal work—market trading, transport, domestic services, and now hustles like Instagram shops—remains the mainstay for millions.

AI threatens to automate large swathes of this informal sector. Think of digital ride-hailing algorithms replacing traditional taxi and tro-tro systems. Or AI-powered retail platforms undercutting small market traders. Or automated delivery bots replacing dispatch riders.

In Silicon Valley, this is called “efficiency.” In Ghana, it could be a disaster if not carefully managed.

The path forward: A hybrid, humane approach

This is why I believe Ghana’s approach to AI must be hybrid and humane. We should build systems that are smart, but also deeply aware of our social rhythms. We should automate what makes sense, but never at the cost of what makes us who we are.

And this must be backed by policy. We need a national framework that goes beyond slogans about “AI for good.” We need concrete measures, starting with proper labour protections—legislation that prevents wholesale displacement without alternatives for affected workers. We need upskilling programmes beyond coding boot camps; practical digital literacy for market women, drivers, and informal workers who form the backbone of our economy.

Our education system needs a rethink too, revamping curricula from primary to tertiary level to prepare Ghanaians for an AI-augmented economy. And let’s not forget the importance of public consultations—regular community dialogues to ensure AI development reflects local needs and concerns, not just the priorities of tech elites. We must be vigilant about bias prevention through active monitoring and regulation to prevent AI systems from reinforcing existing inequalities in language, ethnicity, gender, or economic status.

We need to invest in building local capacity. We should not simply import AI solutions from Silicon Valley and assume they will fit Ghana’s realities. We need Ghanaian data scientists, ethicists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs shaping our own AI ecosystem.

Building a distinctly Ghanaian AI future

We cannot afford to be passive adopters of AI. Nor should we blindly resist it out of fear. The future of work in Ghana will inevitably involve some automation, but it should also involve an expansion of opportunity, not its contraction.

Imagine a future where AI augments human work, rather than replaces it. Picture market women using AI-enabled price prediction apps to optimize their inventory while still maintaining their stalls and social connections. Think of drivers using smart route suggestions to make their trips more efficient, not to eliminate their jobs. Envision teachers in rural schools supported by AI tutors that help personalize learning while preserving the essential human guidance that shapes young minds. Consider healthcare workers equipped with diagnostic tools that extend their reach into underserved communities, not replace their judgment and care.

That future is possible, but only if we design it deliberately.

This is my appeal: let us ensure our AI journey is grounded in our values. Let it be human-first, not machine-first. Let it reflect our cultural texture and economic reality. Let it be inclusive, ethical, and adaptive.

Ghana has a real shot at leading the African AI conversation, but we must walk with both ambition and caution. We must be intentional about using AI to enhance what makes us Ghanaian—our community, our resilience, our ingenuity—rather than eroding it in the name of progress.

I’m hopeful. But I’m also watchful. And I believe we all should be.

PS: My cover image was generated by AI with a really clever prompt

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