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Technology News from Ghana

The latest technology news from Ghana, curated from the country's leading newsrooms and updated through the day. Newest stories first.

“No AI Without Digitalisation”: Bawumia Outlines Six-Point Policy Framework for Africa’s AI Leadership at LSE Summit
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“No AI Without Digitalisation”: Bawumia Outlines Six-Point Policy Framework for Africa’s AI Leadership at LSE Summit

Former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has positioned Ghana as a frontrunner for Artificial Intelligence (AI) growth in Africa, asserting that a robust digital foundation is a non-negotiable prerequisite for the continent's AI ambitions. Delivering a keynote address at the 2026 London School of Economics (LSE) Africa Summit, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that countries lagging in digitalization will struggle to implement AI effectively. He argued that for Africa to transition from being a mere consumer to a global contributor of AI technology, it must first prioritize the infrastructure that makes data verifiable and systems interoperable. Highlighting Ghana’s specific successes, Dr. Bawumia pointed to the national biometric identity system, the digital address system, and integrated payment frameworks as the pillars of the country's AI readiness. These systems, he noted, provide the reliable data ecosystems necessary for scaling AI applications in governance and service delivery. He further revealed that Ghana is currently developing a National AI Strategy under the guidance of UNESCO, ensuring that the country’s technological evolution remains structured and ethical. While praising the progress of regional peers like Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa, he cautioned that many African nations still lack the essential infrastructure required for a smooth AI takeoff. To bridge this gap, Dr. Bawumia proposed a comprehensive six-point policy framework designed to drive Africa’s AI agenda. This framework includes: building AI foundations through investments in power and broadband; creating trustworthy data ecosystems that reflect African realities; scaling talent through curriculum reform and workforce programs; enhancing government procurement capacity for responsible AI deployment; embedding ethics with human oversight; and fostering cross-border interoperability to enable digital trade. He stressed that these commitments are vital for attracting investment and ensuring that AI development reflects African values and priorities. Concluding his address, the former Vice-President identified significant hurdles still facing the continent, specifically a widening financing gap and a shortage of advanced digital skills. He called for focused policies to enhance education and inclusivity, particularly for women and underserved communities, to ensure the digital economy leaves no one behind. By building transparent and accountable systems today, Dr. Bawumia believes Africa can secure its place as a leader in the global AI narrative, fostering innovation that drives both economic growth and social transformation.

Academic City Tech Expo Harnesses Robotics and Innovation to Combat Ghana's Galamsey Crisis
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Academic City Tech Expo Harnesses Robotics and Innovation to Combat Ghana's Galamsey Crisis

The Robotics Club of Academic City University recently hosted its annual Tech Expo, a flagship event dedicated to leveraging technological innovation to address Ghana's persistent illegal mining crisis, commonly known as 'galamsey.' Amidst growing national concern over environmental degradation, the expo served as a vital platform for young innovators to showcase sustainable remedies designed to mitigate the destruction caused by unregulated mining activities. By focusing on robotics and modern engineering, the event underscored the potential of academia and technology to provide practical, scalable solutions to some of the country’s most pressing ecological challenges. Organized in strategic partnership with environmental NGO A Rocha Ghana, Asante Gold Corporation, and STEMAIDE, the expo featured a wide array of student-led projects from various Senior High Schools and universities. These participants presented cutting-edge prototypes focused specifically on water purification and land restoration—two areas most critically impacted by mining. These technologies aim to reclaim polluted water bodies and restore fertility to soil stripped by illegal operations. The collaboration between industry players and educational institutions highlighted a multifaceted approach to the crisis, bridging the gap between theoretical research and industrial application. A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion involving industry experts who examined the intersection of technology, environmental policy, and corporate responsibility. The experts emphasized the indispensable role of the youth in driving impactful change, noting that the creativity displayed by the students provides a roadmap for future environmental management. The discussions further explored how these localized technological solutions could be scaled to meet national needs, provided there is adequate investment, mentorship, and regulatory support to bring these prototypes to the field. As the expo concluded, organizers and partners issued a call to action for stakeholders within the private and public sectors to support the implementation of the most promising ideas. The success of the Tech Expo demonstrates that while the galamsey crisis remains complex, the integration of robotics and innovative engineering offers a viable path toward environmental recovery. Moving forward, the focus remains on transforming these student presentations into real-world tools that can help safeguard Ghana's natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

Africa Must Lead the AI Revolution to Avoid Development Setbacks, Dr. Bawumia Warns at LSE Africa Summit
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Africa Must Lead the AI Revolution to Avoid Development Setbacks, Dr. Bawumia Warns at LSE Africa Summit

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President of Ghana and the New Patriotic Party’s 2028 flagbearer, has issued a stark warning to African leaders: the continent must embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) or risk being left behind in the global digital race. Speaking at the London School of Economics (LSE) Africa Summit 2026, Bawumia emphasized that AI represents the newest phase of the digital age, offering a transformative opportunity for Africa to leapfrog traditional development barriers. He cautioned that Africa has historically missed previous industrial revolutions due to a lack of investment in innovation, a mistake that cannot be repeated if the continent seeks to compete in the modern global economy. To ensure Africa moves from a passive consumer to a proactive builder of technology, Bawumia outlined six critical policy priorities. These include building robust AI foundations through reliable electricity and broadband infrastructure, creating trustworthy data ecosystems, and scaling local talent. He also called for strengthening public sector procurement capacities, integrating ethical standards into AI deployment, and fostering regional cooperation to create unified digital markets. Central to this vision is the urgent need to address the high cost of mobile data, which Bawumia identified as a primary barrier to entry for low-income households and small businesses across the continent. Addressing concerns regarding automation, Bawumia noted that while approximately 40% of jobs may be reshaped by AI, this shift should be viewed as an opportunity for productivity gains rather than a precursor to mass unemployment. He argued that with the right policy frameworks, AI can enhance roles within the informal sector and drive significant advancements in sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. He pointed to the rise of "small AI" applications—tools that can run on everyday mobile devices—as a promising trend that makes the technology accessible even in resource-constrained environments. The former Vice President concluded by urging African policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and focus on measurable, decisive actions. He stressed that the development of innovation ecosystems requires strategic planning, institutional strength, and a proactive mindset to ensure the continent is not intimidated by technological advancement. By establishing a supportive environment for technology to thrive, Africa can ensure that the benefits of the AI revolution lead to shared prosperity and a more inclusive socio-economic future.

Telecel Ghana Empowers Youth in STEM as Over 500 Students Graduate from Digitech Academy
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Telecel Ghana Empowers Youth in STEM as Over 500 Students Graduate from Digitech Academy

The Telecel Ghana Foundation has celebrated the graduation of over 500 students from its Digitech Academy, a nationwide initiative designed to foster interest and proficiency in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The graduation ceremonies, which took place simultaneously across various locations including Peki Blengo, marked the successful completion of a rigorous 12-week training program. Developed in collaboration with the Mingo Foundation and supported by the Ghana Education Service (GES), the academy provides critical digital skills to young Ghanaians, preparing them for the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. A significant highlight of this latest cohort was the overwhelming representation of female students, who comprised 70% of the total graduates. This intentional focus reflects a broader strategy by Telecel Ghana and its partners to narrow the persistent gender gap within STEM fields in Ghana. Throughout the three-month curriculum, participants were immersed in hands-on learning modules covering coding, robotics, and web design. Daina Nortte, the Executive Director of the Mingo Foundation, praised the remarkable transformation of the students, emphasizing that early exposure to creative and technical environments is essential for unlocking the innovative potential of the youth. The graduation events served as a platform for students to showcase practical solutions to real-world challenges. Among the projects presented were automated irrigation systems designed to enhance agricultural productivity and advanced security technologies aimed at community safety. Over the past two years, the Digitech Academy has reached approximately 2,000 students, reinforcing the foundation's commitment to bridging the digital divide. Graduates such as Eunice Dela Donani and Ritesina Maate expressed profound gratitude for the training, noting that the program has ignited a passion for innovation that they intend to carry forward into their future academic and professional pursuits. As Ghana continues its national drive toward digitalization, initiatives like the Digitech Academy play a crucial role in building a sustainable pipeline of local tech talent. By equipping students with modern digital skills at a young age, the program ensures that the next generation is prepared to be active creators rather than mere consumers of technology. The Telecel Ghana Foundation has signaled its ongoing dedication to expanding digital education across the country, aiming to reach more underserved communities and provide the necessary resources for Ghanaian youth to thrive in the global digital economy.

OpenAI Shuts Down Sora Video Tool and Terminates $1 Billion Disney Partnership
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OpenAI Shuts Down Sora Video Tool and Terminates $1 Billion Disney Partnership

In a surprising strategic pivot, OpenAI has announced the discontinuation of Sora, its high-profile AI video-generation application, less than two years after its initial debut. This decision coincides with the termination of a landmark $1 billion partnership with Disney, a deal originally intended to revolutionize content creation through artificial intelligence. OpenAI indicated that the closure of the Sora project is part of a broader effort to redirect its resources toward robotics and more advanced artificial intelligence developments, moving away from specialized creative media tools. Despite the significant initial hype and generating approximately $1.4 million in revenue, Sora faced significant headwinds that hindered its long-term viability. The application struggled with establishing effective monetization strategies and was frequently at the center of heated debates regarding intellectual property rights and the potential for generating convincing misinformation. As the market for realistic video generation tools became increasingly crowded and competitive, OpenAI found it difficult to maintain the tool's commercial edge while navigating the complex ethical and legal landscape associated with synthetic media. The fallout from this decision includes the dissolution of a massive collaboration with Disney, which had been one of the most high-profile enterprise deals in the AI sector. The $1 billion agreement was once seen as a cornerstone of AI integration in the entertainment industry, but its cancellation signals a change in direction for both entities. Disney has expressed respect for OpenAI's strategic pivot and stated that it remains committed to exploring AI technologies, though it will now look toward other competing platforms to fulfill its future content creation needs. The closure of Sora underscores the volatile nature of the generative AI landscape, where rapid innovation is often met with significant regulatory and commercial hurdles. By reallocating its focus toward robotics and next-generation AI infrastructure, OpenAI appears to be prioritizing foundational technological breakthroughs over consumer-facing creative applications. This shift reflects a maturing industry where tech giants are increasingly forced to prioritize long-term scalability and ethical safety over experimental, high-risk creative tools.

TCC-CIMET Unveils 2026 Innovation Challenge to Drive AI-Driven Engineering Solutions Across West Africa
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TCC-CIMET Unveils 2026 Innovation Challenge to Drive AI-Driven Engineering Solutions Across West Africa

The Technology Consultancy Centre (TCC-CIMET) has officially launched its 2026 Annual Innovation Challenge, marking a significant milestone in West Africa's engineering and technological landscape. Unveiled during a hybrid webinar held in observance of World Engineering Day, the initiative is centered on the theme "AI and Digital Engineering for Sustainable Development." This competition seeks to mobilize the creative potential of students and researchers to address pressing regional issues through the lens of modern digital tools. Keynote speaker Leonardo Garcia Bottia highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in crafting engineering solutions that align with global sustainability goals. This sentiment was echoed by Ing. Mark Baah and Prof. Samuel Owusu-Ofori, who emphasized that the challenge is specifically designed to inspire young innovators to tackle unique African hurdles. A primary focus of the 2026 edition is the circular economy, encouraging participants to develop systems that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency—a critical need for the continent’s growing industrial sector. TCC-CIMET’s Director-General, Francis Davis, issued a strong call to action for students, urging them to participate and push the boundaries of conventional thinking. Davis assured potential entrants that the center is committed to providing robust support for promising ideas, ensuring that the most innovative concepts have a pathway toward real-world implementation. This support structure is a core component of the challenge, aiming to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical, market-ready engineering solutions. Beyond the competition itself, the initiative represents a broader effort to modernize engineering education across West Africa. By integrating AI and digital engineering into the competitive framework, TCC-CIMET is fostering a new generation of technical experts equipped to navigate the complexities of the 21st century. The move underscores the commitment of regional stakeholders to leveraging high-tech innovation for long-term economic and environmental stability.

Ghana Accelerates Public Sector Digital Transformation with Launch of National AI Masterclass Cohort 2
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Ghana Accelerates Public Sector Digital Transformation with Launch of National AI Masterclass Cohort 2

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has officially launched the second cohort of the National AI Masterclass in Akuse, a strategic initiative aimed at equipping Ghana’s public sector with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. Running from March 21 to 25, 2023, the five-day intensive program is organized in collaboration with AI Africa and the Knowledge Web Center. This second phase focuses on empowering senior-level government officials, including deputy directors and senior officers, to leverage emerging technologies to streamline administrative processes and improve national service delivery.\n\nDuring the opening sessions, Chief Director Alexander Yaw Arphul underscored the critical necessity of practical digital skills for modern governance. He emphasized that as the global digital economy continues to evolve, public servants must be proficient in AI to ensure efficiency and transparency in government operations. The training aims to provide these professionals with the specific tools needed to navigate the complexities of digital governance and meet the growing expectations of the Ghanaian citizenry for faster and more reliable services.\n\nLed by Dr. David King Boison, the masterclass curriculum is designed to go beyond theoretical concepts, focusing instead on the development of integrated intelligence systems for effective policy formulation. By utilizing AI-driven data analysis, government institutions can better predict trends and make informed decisions that drive national development. This technical depth is intended to transform how policies are drafted and implemented, ensuring they are backed by robust, real-time data insights rather than outdated manual processes.\n\nDr. Samuel Antwi-Gyekye, Director for Digital Technology, highlighted that this initiative is a cornerstone of Ghana’s broader 24-hour economy policy. To date, approximately 100 public officials have successfully completed the training, creating a growing network of tech-savvy leaders within the civil service. By fostering a culture of continuous digital learning, the government aims to build a resilient and agile public sector capable of driving Ghana’s socio-economic growth in an increasingly automated world.

UK to Trial Social Media Bans and Digital Curfews for Teenagers to Study Online Safety Impact
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UK to Trial Social Media Bans and Digital Curfews for Teenagers to Study Online Safety Impact

The United Kingdom government is set to launch a pilot program involving 300 teenagers to test the impact of social media restrictions on their daily lives. The trial will see participants subjected to varying degrees of digital regulation, including total bans, strict time limits, and evening curfews. This initiative is designed to gather empirical data on how reduced social media access influences adolescent well-being, mental health, and academic performance, as well as its effect on overall family dynamics. The pilot comes at a critical time as the UK government launches a public consultation on whether to make it illegal for children under the age of 16 to access social media platforms, a move that mirrors recent legislative actions in Australia. During the trial, participants will be divided into specific groups to test different interventions, while a control group will maintain their normal social media habits for comparison. Independent researchers will monitor the outcomes to provide a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of these restrictions. This data-driven approach aims to provide clarity on a highly debated topic, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to understand how digital consumption affects the development and psychological state of the youth. Key performance indicators will include school attendance, concentration levels, and reported levels of anxiety or social isolation. Despite the government's push for more stringent controls, the initiative has met with a range of perspectives from child safety advocates. Organizations like the NSPCC have emphasized that while safety is paramount, the focus should ideally remain on holding technology companies accountable for making their platforms inherently safer. Critics of blanket bans argue that such measures may be difficult to enforce and could prevent children from developing the digital literacy skills needed for the modern world. They suggest that improving platform algorithms and moderation might be more effective than restricting access entirely. The results of this pilot and the concurrent public consultation are expected to inform future online safety legislation and national policy. As governments worldwide struggle to mitigate the potential harms of the digital age on younger generations, the UK's experiment represents a significant step toward evidence-based policymaking. The findings will likely determine whether the UK follows through with a legal ban for under-16s or opts for more nuanced regulatory frameworks that prioritize platform safety over total user restriction.

Beyond the headlines: How Cocoa Marketing works in Ghana
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World Engineering Day 2026: Ghana Urged to Accelerate National Development Through High-Impact Engineering Talent

The 2026 celebration of World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development has brought to the forefront a critical mandate for Ghana: the urgent need to cultivate high-impact engineers to drive economic competitiveness. Established by UNESCO in 2019, this global platform serves as a reminder of engineering's pivotal role in societal advancement. Under the 2026 theme, "Smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation," stakeholders are emphasizing that while Ghana has made significant strides in mobile access, the next phase of national development requires a deeper transformation of its education, finance, and healthcare systems through robust engineering capacity. A primary example of the potential within the domestic talent pool is Kwabena Akomea Agyin, a prominent Ghanaian telecommunications engineer whose work has been instrumental in modernizing telecom networks across West Africa. As a leader of the Rural Telephony Expansion Project, Agyin has successfully bridged the digital divide by enhancing connectivity in previously underserved areas. These technological advancements have had a ripple effect, directly improving local access to essential services such as financial platforms, digital education resources, and remote healthcare. His success underscores the reality that Ghana already possesses the talent necessary to build and maintain world-class infrastructure if given the proper support and resources. To maintain this momentum and compete on a global scale, experts argue that Ghana must adopt a strategic approach to engineering as a national pillar. This involves a multi-faceted strategy of increasing investment in STEM education, fostering deeper collaborations between academic institutions and industrial players, and ensuring that local engineers are empowered to take lead roles in transformative national projects. By creating an environment where innovation thrives, the country can build a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of navigating the complexities of the modern digital economy. As the nation reflects on the significance of World Engineering Day 2026, it stands at a decisive turning point. The path toward a resilient and sustainable future depends heavily on the ability to nurture and retain visionary engineers like Agyin. By prioritizing the development of high-impact engineering skills today, Ghana is not merely celebrating a profession but is actively shaping the architecture of its future economic and social landscape.

Ghana Advances Localized Tech Solutions: From Youth-Led Bushfire Robotics to AI-Driven Sustainable Development
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Ghana Advances Localized Tech Solutions: From Youth-Led Bushfire Robotics to AI-Driven Sustainable Development

Ghana's technological landscape is witnessing a surge in home-grown innovations, ranging from grassroots robotics to high-level academic collaborations in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recent developments at the Telecel DigiTech Academy and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) underscore a growing commitment to leveraging advanced technology to solve local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental safety. These initiatives highlight a multi-tiered approach to digital transformation, involving both youth-led primary education and sophisticated academic research aimed at achieving global development goals. In Jirapa, the Telecel Foundation’s DigiTech Academy is preparing to graduate its third cohort of 500 students, who have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by developing a robot designed to combat bushfires. Led by young innovators such as 12-year-old Miltiades, the project addresses the persistent threat of fires to local farming communities. The robot is engineered to detect heat sources, navigate toward them, and release water to contain the blaze. Since its inception in September 2024, the academy has trained approximately 2,300 students, emphasizing strong female representation and practical robotics skills that foster community-based problem-solving. Simultaneously, in Kumasi, KNUST has partnered with the French Embassy to host the AI4SD Mini-Conference, focusing on AI-driven solutions for Africa's development challenges. This collaboration has already birthed critical tools, including an AI toolkit for crop disease detection and specialized software for diagnosing rare diseases in newborns. Project Lead Professor Jerry John Kponyo characterized AI as essential "socio-technical infrastructure" that must be context-aware and inclusive. Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson and Julien Lecas from the French Embassy both emphasized the importance of ensuring that AI solutions are tailored specifically to the African socio-economic landscape to ensure sustainable impact. These developments signal a significant shift toward localized technology where global tools like AI and robotics are adapted to solve indigenous problems. While the Telecel Foundation focuses on building a pipeline of future tech talent at the grassroots level, the KNUST-French Embassy partnership provides the high-level research framework necessary for scalable national impact. Together, these efforts demonstrate that Ghana is transitioning from a consumer of technology to a proactive innovator, creating a sustainable ecosystem where digital literacy and advanced research converge to drive progress.

Navigating the Digital Frontier: Experts Call for Balance and Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
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Navigating the Digital Frontier: Experts Call for Balance and Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

As artificial intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) continue to reshape the global landscape, Ghanaian experts and educators are raising critical questions about the dual-natured impact of these technologies on society. From the classroom to the newsroom, the integration of automated tools is being viewed as a "double-edged sword" that offers unprecedented efficiency while simultaneously threatening to undermine critical thinking and public trust. The urgency of this discussion is highlighted by the upcoming EdTech Mondays event scheduled for March 30, 2026, where stakeholders will gather to address the evolving role of AI in maintaining educational integrity. In the realm of education, the rise of AI-first tools has sparked a debate over whether technology is facilitating learning or merely providing "easy answers" that bypass the development of essential cognitive skills. Educators are being urged to evaluate if AI serves as a beneficial classroom assistant or if it inadvertently erodes the students' ability to think independently. Richard Ofoe, Director of Richofoe Media Production, emphasizes that while ICT has revolutionized access to information, it requires effective regulation to ensure it supports educational values rather than serving as a distraction or exposing youth to inappropriate content. The goal, Ofoe suggests, is a balanced approach that harnesses technological benefits while safeguarding the intellectual growth of the next generation. Beyond the classroom, the media industry is facing a parallel crisis as AI challenges the foundations of credible journalism. The emergence of deepfakes and automated reporting has led to concerns regarding the authenticity of news and the potential for misinformation to disrupt political discourse and democratic integrity. Journalism experts, including Emmanuel Adu Kwarteng, argue that the future of the profession depends on a commitment to rigorous editorial discipline and transparency. To combat the rapid spread of falsehoods, there is a growing call for collaboration between technology companies, media houses, and policymakers to establish ethical standards that prioritize the truth in an increasingly automated age. Ultimately, the transition into an AI-driven future necessitates a proactive rather than reactive stance. Whether in fostering the potential of children or protecting the sanctity of public information, the consensus among experts is that technology must be guided by human oversight and ethical frameworks. As Ghana prepares for further digital transformation, the focus remains on ensuring that these powerful tools are channeled toward positive societal advancement while mitigating the risks of misuse and cognitive dependency.

AI to Enhance Rather Than Replace Jobs in West Africa, Experts Assert
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AI to Enhance Rather Than Replace Jobs in West Africa, Experts Assert

A recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) training program held in Accra has highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies across West Africa, with experts asserting that AI will enhance human roles rather than replace them. Addressing participants from Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria, Jason Hickey, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, emphasized that AI is an evolutionary tool designed to boost productivity. He encouraged professionals across the sub-region to embrace these advancements, noting that proficiency in AI tools is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for accessing modern job opportunities and driving economic innovation. The training session delved into the historical evolution of AI and its current practical applications in various sectors. Experts such as Rolf Olson discussed the broad, transformative impact of AI, while Perry Nelson specifically highlighted its role in solving uniquely African challenges. According to Nelson, AI technologies are already being leveraged to improve food security and reduce carbon emissions, demonstrating that the technology's value lies in its ability to provide data-driven solutions to long-standing systemic issues. The speakers underscored that while AI can process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, the human element remains essential for strategic decision-making and creative problem-solving. As AI continues to expand throughout the region, the session also stressed the importance of responsible use and rigorous verification. Participants were reminded of the necessity of maintaining data security and the critical need to verify AI-generated content to prevent the spread of misinformation. The consensus from the training was that the future of work in West Africa will be defined by a synergy between human intelligence and machine efficiency. By prioritizing AI education and ethical implementation, the region can harness this technology to foster sustainable development and create a more resilient and competitive workforce.