Ghana adopts UNESCO AI readiness assessment to strengthen ethical AI governance

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Ghana has launched the UNESCO Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), marking a major step toward building a responsible, inclusive and ethical framework for AI deployment in the country. The initiative, supported by the European Commission through UNESCO, convened representatives from government, academia, civil society and the private sector to examine Ghana’s AI landscape and governance structures.

In remarks delivered on behalf of the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, the Director for ICT, Dr. Samuel Antwi Gyekyi, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to developing and deploying AI safely and transparently. He said AI can accelerate progress in health, education, climate action and other priority areas tied to the Sustainable Development Goals, while cautioning that risks such as algorithmic bias, privacy concerns and job displacement must be addressed through strong oversight.

The UNESCO RAM will enable Ghana to assess its institutional capacity, regulatory environment, skills ecosystem and digital infrastructure to determine national readiness for AI adoption. Findings will guide the formulation of Ghana’s National AI Strategy and support the design of more robust governance frameworks.

Speaking on behalf of UNESCO’s Representative to Ghana, Edmond Moukala, Carl Ampah underscored the centrality of ethics in AI development. He said AI’s potential to transform sectors including healthcare, education, culture and governance must be anchored in fairness, human rights and the prevention of systemic biases.

The RAM provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating a country’s preparedness for sustainable and ethical AI integration, examining policy, technical, human resource and societal dimensions.

Emmanuel Ofori, Director of Innovations at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, stressed the need for national AI plans to align with global ethical standards and for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and civil society. He said these partnerships will be critical in building a trustworthy AI ecosystem that benefits all Ghanaians.