Ghana’s AI Journey: Progress, Challenges, and Lessons from Global Leaders

By Janice Tagoe, MBA, MSc.,

March 21, 2025 – As Artificial Intelligence rapidly transforms industries across the world, Ghana is stepping up as a key player in Africa’s AI revolution. Ghana has made remarkable progress in integrating AI into education, digital skills training, and governance. However, obstacles like infrastructure limitations and regulatory gaps continue to pose challenges.

As Ghana pushes forward on its AI journey, there’s much to learn from global leaders, especially the United States, whose AI policies and strategies offer valuable insights into accelerating adoption and fostering sustainable growth.

Ghana’s Growing AI Landscape

Ghana’s commitment to AI-driven innovation is evident across multiple sectors, reflecting a strong push toward digital transformation. One of the country’s most impactful initiatives is the Ghana Code Club, founded by Ernestina Edem Appiah in 2007. This program has introduced thousands of young learners to coding, laying the groundwork for AI literacy. By 2020, the initiative had successfully trained 1,700 students and 300 teachers across 100 computer centers, building a strong foundation for the country’s future AI workforce.

Beyond grassroots education, AI discussions are gaining traction at the national level. The Ghana AI Summit & Awards is coming soon. This is a landmark event where industry experts will explore AI’s role in healthcare, sustainability, economic growth, governance, agriculture, and finance. This summit is set to underscore the growing recognition of AI’s potential to drive economic and social progress.

Public-private partnerships have also played a crucial role in Ghana’s AI development. At the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Ghana’s Ministry of Communications signed a 12-month Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MTN Ghana. This collaboration is focused on enhancing digital skills training for the country’s youth, particularly in AI, data governance, and cybersecurity. Such partnerships are essential in preparing Ghana’s workforce for the AI-driven future.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its progress, Ghana still faces significant challenges in fully embracing AI. One of the biggest hurdles is infrastructure. AI adoption relies heavily on high-performance computing power, reliable internet connectivity, and cloud storage capabilities—areas that still require substantial investment. While institutions like the Hopper Dean AI Centre in Accra are working to close this gap, large-scale AI deployment will require further infrastructure development.

Another challenge is regulation. As AI advances rapidly, concerns around data privacy, ethical AI use, and algorithmic bias are becoming more pressing. Ghana has been actively participating in global discussions, such as the AI Action Summit in Paris, signaling a commitment to responsible AI governance. However, clear regulations and policies that balance innovation with accountability are still in the early stages of development.

 

What Ghana Can Learn from the U.S. AI Strategy

Studying the strategies of global AI leaders can provide Ghana with a roadmap for success. The United States, for example, has made significant strides in AI policy and investment. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14179, titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence.” This order prioritizes AI development by eliminating unnecessary regulations, reinforcing the U.S. government’s commitment to staying ahead in AI innovation.

Corporate investments in AI are also booming in the U.S. Companies like Oracle anticipate a 15% revenue increase in fiscal 2026 and 20% growth in 2027, largely fueled by AI-driven cloud computing and semiconductor advancements. With major corporations pouring billions into AI infrastructure, businesses can now leverage powerful computing systems to analyze vast amounts of data more efficiently.

However, despite these advancements, AI adoption among American workers remains uneven. A Pew Research Center survey found that while AI investments are skyrocketing, only one in six U.S. employees actively use AI in their daily work, and many remain unfamiliar with AI tools. This highlights the need for public education and AI literacy programs to bridge the gap between investment and widespread adoption.

The Path Forward for Ghana

For Ghana to fully embrace AI and compete on a global scale, it must take deliberate and strategic steps. One of the most pressing priorities is expanding AI infrastructure. Robust computing power, cloud storage, and high-speed internet are fundamental to AI-driven innovation. Currently, gaps in these areas slow down adoption and limit the potential of AI applications. Looking at global models, the U.S.’s Stargate LLC initiative, which plans to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure by 2029, provides a clear example of how public-private collaborations can drive technological advancement. Ghana can explore similar investment strategies to build a sustainable AI ecosystem that enables both local businesses and multinational firms to thrive.

Education

Another critical focus area is education and workforce development. AI adoption is only as strong as the people who use and create AI-powered solutions. Expanding digital literacy and technical training programs is essential to ensure Ghana’s workforce is prepared for an AI-driven future. Programs like the Ghana Code Club have already laid a strong foundation, equipping young learners with coding skills. However, scaling such initiatives to reach more students, teachers, and professionals will be key to nurturing a new generation of AI experts, engineers, and data scientists.

Regulation

In addition, developing a clear and balanced regulatory framework is crucial to ensuring that AI innovation is both responsible and sustainable. AI technologies come with challenges, such as data privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and algorithmic biases. By putting regulations in place that encourage AI growth while ensuring transparency and accountability, Ghana can foster an environment where both businesses and consumers feel confident in AI applications.

Support innovation

Another important step is supporting local AI innovation. Instead of simply adopting AI solutions developed abroad, Ghana has the opportunity to build its own AI-driven industries by encouraging local startups, research institutions, and entrepreneurs. AI has the potential to solve Ghana-specific challenges, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and financial services. By fostering an environment that enables homegrown AI businesses to thrive, Ghana can ensure that AI technologies are tailored to the country’s unique needs rather than relying solely on foreign advancements.

Ghana’s AI journey is unfolding with both challenges and exciting possibilities. While there is still work to be done in building infrastructure, refining regulations, and nurturing local innovation, the progress so far shows real promise. By staying committed to strategic investments in technology and education, Ghana can steadily position itself as a leader in AI within Africa. The future is not just about catching up with global advancements; it is about shaping AI in a way that works for Ghana’s unique needs and aspirations. With the right focus, the country can turn today’s efforts into long-term, meaningful progress.

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Janice Tagoe is a multifaceted data analytics and technology professional with a distinguished career across various industries, including education, government, non-profits, and technology. She is a Business Intelligence Coordinator/Analyst at Bay Atlantic University and the Global Policy Institute, in Washington, D.C.

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