The Director of the Information Services Department at the Ministry of Information, Dr. Nafisa Mahama, has reaffirmed Ghana’s strong commitment to advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to enhance key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and industry.
Speaking at the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) Ministerial side-event during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York, she emphasized Ghana’s proactive stance on digital rights and the responsible development of AI.
While expressing Ghana’s dedication to AI, Dr. Mahama also noted the importance of responsible governance to avoid potential risks to human rights. She highlighted the need for ethical frameworks guiding AI development in line with global human rights standards.
“Ghana is actively developing a comprehensive AI governance framework,” she stated, adding that this includes innovative solutions like an AI-enhanced Online Application System, which aims to increase public access to information across all government sectors.
Furthermore, Dr. Mahama outlined Ghana’s collaboration with international stakeholders to provide Advanced AI Prompt Engineering training for public relations officers across government institutions.
“This training equips our officers with the necessary tools to leverage AI effectively for information dissemination and innovation,” she said.
Ghana’s investment in AI, guided by ethical considerations and human rights, is positioning the country as a leader in the responsible use of AI. Dr. Mahama stressed, “By working together as a global community, we can harness AI’s potential to promote human development, prosperity, and respect for human rights.”
As a member of the FOC, she reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to open governance and accountability, noting that the country continues to contribute to advancing digital rights globally.
She also recalled the 2019 enactment of the Right to Information Law, which empowers citizens with access to public information and promotes transparency in governance.