Abed-Nego Bandim Launches Parliamentary Digital Economy Listening Series to Propel Ghana's AI Future

Abed-Nego Lamangin Bandim, the Chairperson of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Information and Communications, has officially launched the "Parliamentary Digital Economy Listening Series" during London Tech Week 2026. Speaking at the Tech in Ghana forum, Bandim outlined an ambitious roadmap to bridge the divide between policymakers and the technology ecosystem. This initiative is designed to actively engage technology entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and the Ghanaian diaspora in high-level discussions aimed at shaping the nation's digital trajectory and economic resilience.

Central to the new series is the urgent need for legislation to keep pace with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). Bandim emphasized that Ghana’s National AI Strategy is a cornerstone for responsible development, intended to foster a culture of innovation and research that drives national growth. He argued that for Ghana to truly capitalize on the AI revolution, there must be a concerted effort to invest in local talent and research institutions. By building this internal capacity, the country aims to position itself as a regional leader in ethical AI deployment rather than a passive recipient of external technologies.

Despite the push for advanced technology, the Chairperson highlighted significant structural barriers that remain, most notably the digital divide. Currently, approximately 4.5 million Ghanaians live without network coverage, a gap that Bandim insists must be closed to ensure equitable economic participation. He called for urgent policy interventions to enhance digital inclusion and reduce the cost of connectivity, asserting that high data costs often stifle the potential of the youth and local startups. To address these gaps, he advocated for stronger international partnerships that prioritize technology transfer and local infrastructure development.

Ultimately, Bandim asserted that Africa’s long-term economic competitiveness depends on its ability to generate tangible value from technology and data. He cautioned against a future where the continent remains a consumer of foreign digital products, stressing that true economic sovereignty will come from homegrown innovation. The Listening Series serves as a call to action, signaling that the future of Africa’s digital economy will be forged not just in global innovation centers, but within the tech hubs of major African cities.