en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ghana's Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, stated that technology is no longer an independent sector but a core element supporting fields such as agriculture, healthcare, education, security, and economic development. Ghana is advancing digital reforms, with the primary task being to revise outdated technology-related laws, aiming to promote innovation while safeguarding the legitimate interests of citizens and businesses. Minister George's goal is to transform Ghana from a consumer of technology into an innovator capable of providing solutions to Africa's problems.
Regarding the coordination of digital policies in Africa, Minister George pointed out that frameworks such as the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy and the Malabo Convention serve as important benchmarks for national legislation. Ghana should not adopt these frameworks wholesale but selectively incorporate them, reflecting national priorities while gradually achieving consistency in digital policies across the African continent. Specific projects underway in Ghana include the construction of an artificial intelligence computing center costing $250 million, designed to serve innovators across the entire African continent. Additionally, Ghana is building large language models using Yoruba, Hausa, Swahili, Creole, and local Ghanaian languages. Minister George emphasized that African countries must stop building solely for domestic markets; Ghana's population of 33 million is a starting point, not a ceiling, and the solutions developed should cover the entire continent, including West Africa's approximately 450 million people.
On the impact of artificial intelligence on employment, Minister George believes it ultimately depends on how effectively countries prepare their workforce. Through initiatives such as "DIGSMART" and the "One Million Coders programme," Ghana is investing in training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital skills. Minister George cited a study indicating that between 2025 and 2030, artificial intelligence could lead to the disappearance of 96 million jobs, but simultaneously create approximately 132 million new jobs, resulting in a net positive impact. He stated that the key is to prepare those affected by job losses to seize new types of employment, believing that solutions to Africa's problems lie in Accra, Nairobi, and Lusaka.
Data sovereignty is also a key topic of discussion. Minister George believes that Africa possesses one of the world's most valuable yet underutilized digital resources: its data. As global artificial intelligence systems demand increasingly diverse datasets, African countries have the opportunity to create value by organizing, digitizing, and managing their own information assets. He stated that the priority is to ensure that African data remains under African control and that its value is returned to African economies.
In the field of digital trade, Minister George pointed out that the African Continental Free Trade Area and the African Union's digital framework are important foundations for enhancing interoperability among African markets. However, implementation remains the missing link. African tech companies face duplicate licensing requirements and regulatory processes when entering new markets; a coordinated framework and mutual recognition mechanisms could significantly reduce these barriers.
Looking ahead, Minister George believes that Africa's priorities should focus on AI readiness, digital skills, and inclusivity. He stated that Africa does not lack strategies or frameworks; what is needed now is the capacity for action to translate shared aspirations into tangible results.
