Ghana Positions Itself to Become Africa’s AI Hub — Sukparu
Ghana has set its sights on becoming a leading artificial intelligence hub in Africa following the launch of the Ghana National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Mohammed Adams Sukparu, has said.
He said the strategy provides a national framework for the responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence while positioning Ghana to take advantage of the economic and social opportunities presented by the rapidly developing technology.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National ICT Week, Hon. Sukparu said the strategy focused on critical areas including data governance, infrastructure, talent development, ethical AI and practical applications across different sectors of the economy.
“The strategy provides a national framework for the responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence,” he said.
The National AI Strategy was launched in April 2026 as part of the government's broader digital transformation agenda.
According to the deputy minister, the launch has been followed by practical initiatives aimed at ensuring that the strategy translates into tangible benefits for the country.
He disclosed that the Ministry had initiated an AI capacity-building programme for public-sector officials in partnership with UNESCO, UNDP and the Government of Japan.
The programme is designed to equip public officials with the knowledge and skills required to identify practical applications of AI, manage associated risks and align institutional priorities with Ghana’s National AI Strategy.
Hon. Sukparu said the development of human capacity remained essential to Ghana’s ambition of becoming an AI leader on the continent.
He noted that technology could only transform the economy if the country had people with the skills and capabilities to develop, manage and apply emerging technologies effectively.
He therefore highlighted the One Million Coders Programme as one of the government's flagship investments in digital human capital.
The programme seeks to equip one million Ghanaians with practical coding and digital skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy.
According to him, the nationwide rollout was already recording significant participation, with more than 12,000 course completions recorded during the early weeks of Phase Two.
“These interventions demonstrate the government's commitment to developing the generation of Ghanaians with the skills and capabilities required to create, manage and apply digital technologies for national development,” he said.
The Deputy Minister, however, stressed that AI development must be accompanied by strong governance frameworks.
He said privacy, accountability, data protection and public confidence must remain central to Ghana’s adoption of artificial intelligence.
“As we expand the use of artificial intelligence and data-driven systems, innovation must be accompanied by strong governance frameworks that protect privacy, promote accountability and maintain public confidence,” he said.
He also called for closer collaboration between universities, research institutions, technology companies and entrepreneurs.
According to him, Ghana already has institutions and individuals capable of developing solutions that could create significant economic and social value.
The challenge, he said, was to strengthen the pathway through which research could become innovation, innovation could become enterprise and enterprise could generate jobs, productivity and economic growth.
Hon. Sukparu said the Ministry would therefore continue engaging industry, academia, innovators and technology communities to build an ecosystem that supports responsible experimentation, commercialisation and adoption.
He said Ghana’s ambition was not merely to consume artificial intelligence technologies developed elsewhere but to develop the capacity to create and apply AI solutions to local challenges.
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