Government of Ghana urged to make AI national priority

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, the Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL, has stressed the need for the Ghanaian government to prioritize AI as a national agenda. He believes that AI can have a significant and diverse impact on the economy, including job creation, economic growth, inclusivity, and global competitiveness. He also cited examples of countries like Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria that have already made significant progress in implementing AI in their economies.

Speaking during a residential training session organized in collaboration with GIZ, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) for members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications, the Principal Investigator and Scientific Director, RAIL, defined AI as an array of technologies that rely on algorithms to ‘think’ or ‘act’ to solve a problem. He explained generative AI as a type of AI that creates new content and ideas, including conversations, stories, images, videos and music.

He highlighted some of the AI projects worked on in RAIL KNUST in Health, Agriculture, Energy and the Ethical and Responsible Use of AI.

“Under health, RAIL is working on AI for rare disease diagnosis, AI-powered hearing aid, AI-powered wheelchair for the disabled and AI-powered assistive device for the visually impaired. The crop disease toolbox helps farmers detect crop disease and gives remedies in the local dialects. RAIL is enhancing electricity consumption prediction in remote villages and reviewing and redeveloping the FACET framework.”

Prof. Kponyo advocated for the need for Afrocentric datasets in large language models. He said most of the data utilised to train these models come from Western sources, which creates bias and lack of inclusion in AI solutions.

He added that AI solutions have the potential to revolutionise various industries, but their high cost and lack of accessibility can limit their impact.  

“It is important to explore innovative ways to reduce the cost of AI solutions while maintaining their effectiveness and reliability, ensuring AI benefits everyone, not just the privileged few.”

He also introduced the RAIL Robotics Club for the JHS/SHS initiative and the SHECodes club initiative for female students in KNUST.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Kponyo said Ghana needs to approve the National AI Strategy and set up an AI Council, AI Labs and Digital Innovation Hubs at strategic locations. He mentioned that regulations to guide the use of AI should be developed with a commitment to integrate AI in the public sector.

“Let us fully commit to making AI a national priority with an AI-driven economy.’

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications is comprised of Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison as Chairperson, Hon. Sylvester Matthew Tetteh as Vice Chairperson, Hon. Alhassan Bashir Alhassan Fuseini as Ranking Member, and Hon. Samuel Nartey George as Deputy Ranking Member. Other members include Hon. Lydia Lamisi Akansariba, Hon. Abed-Nego Bandim, Hon. Anthony Mwinkaara Sumah, Hon. Mohammed Hardi Tufeiru, Hon. Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, Hon. Jabaah John Bennam, Hon. Geoffrey Kini, Hon Alexander Gyan, Hon. Adama Sulemana, Hon. Joseph Frempong, Hon. Charles Acheamong, and Hon. Dan Abdul-Latif.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye