Ghana has officially kicked off the UNESCO Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward responsible and inclusive AI adoption.
The launch, supported by the European Commission through UNESCO, convened key stakeholders including government officials, academia, private sector players, and civil society representatives to examine Ghana’s current AI ecosystem and governance framework.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Samuel Antwi Gyekyi, Director for ICT, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, reaffirmed Ghana’s determination to harness AI safely and equitably.
“AI holds immense promise to fast-track our progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, revolutionize healthcare delivery, and strengthen climate resilience,” the Minister stated.
He however cautioned that without proper safeguards, AI could exacerbate bias, violate privacy, and cause job losses.
The UNESCO RAM will systematically evaluate Ghana’s readiness across critical areas: regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, skills and education, innovation ecosystems, and institutional capacity. Findings from the assessment will directly inform the drafting of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and help design robust ethical governance mechanisms.
Speaking on behalf of UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmond Moukala, Carl Ampah stressed that ethics must remain at the core of AI development.
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“AI can transform healthcare, education, culture, and governance, but only if it is built on human rights, fairness, and transparency,” he said, warning against unchecked biases in AI systems.
Emmanuel Ofori, Director of Innovations at the Ministry, called for strong multi-stakeholder collaboration, emphasizing the need to align Ghana’s AI ambitions with global ethical standards and foster trust between government, industry, academia, and citizens.
The UNESCO RAM provides a comprehensive diagnostic tool that enables countries to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for sustainable and human-centered AI deployment.
With the assessment now underway, Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s responsible AI movement, ensuring that technological advancement benefits all segments of society while minimizing risks.
