Shaima Hussein urges Ghana to prioritise home-grown AI solutions

Ms. Shaima Hussein, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has called on Ghana to prioritise the development of local artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to strengthen public institutions and ensure digital sovereignty. Speaking at the opening of a three-day training session in Accra, she emphasised that the nation's digital transformation should be driven by national priorities and home-grown innovations rather than a total reliance on external technologies.

The training programme, organised by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation in collaboration with the UNDP and funded by the Government of Japan, is designed to equip 50 government officials to serve as "Digital and AI Champions" within their respective ministries. These officials are being trained to lead the adoption of digital tools and improve the efficiency of public service delivery across the various sectors of government.

Throughout the session, participants are encouraged to identify and address the specific barriers within their ministries that hinder digital integration. Ms. Hussein highlighted the importance of moving away from isolated, siloed projects toward a more coordinated, integrated approach to digital governance. She further noted that the initiative promotes the responsible adoption of AI, with a strong focus on establishing robust ethical safeguards and effective data governance frameworks.

This training initiative marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to transition into a digitally-led economy. By fostering a cohort of internal experts, the government aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where technology is leveraged effectively to meet the evolving needs of the public. The collaboration between the Ministry, the UNDP, and international partners underscores a shared commitment to building a resilient digital infrastructure that supports long-term national development goals.