The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in Ghana.
Speaking at the launch of Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) - Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ghana at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Monday, Madam Owusu-Ekuful highlighted the crucial role AI will play in driving Ghana’s digital transformation while addressing socio-economic challenges.
"As the world embraces AI as a driving force behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Ghana must harness its potential responsibly to promote inclusive economic growth and empower individuals, including women, girls, and vulnerable groups," the Minister stated.
The workshop, which convened a multisectoral group of stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector companies, academic institutions, and civil society organisations, sought to discuss Ghana's AI landscape and raise awareness about the ethical implications and societal impacts of AI technologies.
Madam Ursula Owusu-Ekuful underscored the need for a robust regulatory framework, aligned with international standards, to ensure that AI systems in Ghana reflect the ethics of Ghanaian society.
"Ghana is in a unique position to learn from the experiences of others and craft an approach to the ethical use of AI that supports societal development, promotes social cohesion, and empowers communities while preserving our Pan-African and Ghanaian cultural heritage," she said.
The workshop also marked the official launch of the Readiness Assessment Measurement (RAM) tool, developed in collaboration with UNESCO.
This tool will assess the country's preparedness for AI adoption, ensuring that AI technologies are implemented in line with public welfare and ethical standards.
"As we launch the RAM tool today, I urge all stakeholders to actively participate in this process. Together, we can create a future where AI contributes to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society," she emphasised.
The event also introduced the newly formed 12-member National Steering Committee, tasked with overseeing the assessment of AI readiness in Ghana and integrating ethical considerations into national AI strategies.
Madam Owusu-Ekuful reiterated the government's commitment to leveraging AI responsibly, guided by the values and principles outlined in UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, to ensure that AI technologies benefit all Ghanaians, especially the marginalised and vulnerable.
The workshop represents a significant step forward in Ghana's journey towards digital transformation, with AI playing a pivotal role in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On his part, Mr. Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, has emphasized the crucial role Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play in driving sustainable development.
The workshop, organized with the support of UNESCO, forms part of the UN system’s efforts to help Ghana harness AI’s potential in its quest for sustainable development.
"AI is transforming our societies, economies, and cultures," Mr. Moukala stated, noting that before fully harnessing its potential, it is vital to assess Ghana’s readiness to engage with these technologies.
He introduced UNESCO's Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), a framework designed to evaluate a country's preparedness for integrating AI in a sustainable and ethical manner.
RAM examines key dimensions such as policy, infrastructure, human resources, and societal impact, helping identify strengths and weaknesses in Ghana's AI ecosystem.
“This workshop provides an opportunity for stakeholders to refine methodologies that assess AI readiness across sectors, ensuring they reflect Ghana’s national context and aspirations,” Moukala explained.
He also stressed the importance of AI aligning with the values and principles outlined in UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
As discussions unfolded throughout the day, participants shared their experiences using AI in their workplaces, with Mr. Moukala underscoring the importance of ensuring that AI benefits all members of society, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
"By prioritizing fairness, we can create technology that truly serves humanity," he remarked.
The workshop also aims to strengthen Ghana's National AI Strategy, ensuring that the country is well-prepared to leverage AI technologies across various sectors.
"We are confident that the outcomes of this workshop will significantly enhance Ghana’s ability to harness AI for the benefit of all," Moukala concluded, thanking participants for their contributions and looking forward to further discussions on AI’s role in Ghana’s development.
Taking his turn, Carl Ampah, UNESCO's National Program Officer for Culture, has underscored the importance of integrating ethics into Artificial Intelligence (AI) development during the National Stakeholder Workshop on the Ethics of AI in Accra.
Mr. Ampah highlighted how AI technologies, such as generative AI, have captured global attention with their remarkable potential for economic growth and daily life improvements, but also raised critical ethical concerns.
“The launch of ChatGPT and similar technologies has shown the world the incredible capabilities of AI, but we must also acknowledge the risks,” Mr. Ampah remarked.
He pointed to examples where AI systems have demonstrated biases, such as the COMPAS system in the U.S., which was found to discriminate against Black defendants in criminal justice decisions, and Amazon’s AI recruitment tool, which downgraded resumes from women.
Mr. Ampah emphasized that AI is increasingly integrated into areas like employment, financial access, and information dissemination, all of which significantly impact people’s lives.
“These are not minor issues. AI decisions can affect whether someone gets a job or a loan, and in many cases, there’s no process for challenging those decisions or understanding how they were made,” he said.
With AI tools often developed by a small group of people and trained on unrepresentative data sets, Ampah stressed the need for greater inclusivity and fairness.
He also drew attention to the pressures on tech companies to quickly roll out AI systems, sometimes leading to inaccurate or biased results.
“The example of Google’s AI providing a false recommendation about eating rocks highlights the risks of launching AI systems without proper safeguards,” Mr.Ampah noted.
He reiterated that while AI can be a powerful force for good, addressing ethical concerns is crucial.
“The goal is not to reject the technology but to shape it responsibly,” he said. UNESCO is actively working to ensure that AI development is ethical, transparent, and aligned with societal values.
The workshop, which brought together experts to discuss the ethical implications of AI, also introduced UNESCO’s efforts to establish guidelines for the responsible creation and use of AI globally.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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