The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr Sampson Ahi, has stated the government’s commitment to advancing drone and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as key drivers of Ghana’s industrial transformation, job creation, and export competitiveness.
Delivering the keynote address at the Drone Ignite Africa Summit 2026 on Tuesday, in Accra, he stated that Ghana would position itself to harness emerging technologies to accelerate inclusive economic growth.
“Drones and AI are no longer futuristic concepts but practical economic tools that are already improving productivity and governance in critical sectors, including agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, environmental protection and public safety,” he noted.
Mr Ahi explained that in agriculture, precision technologies such as crop monitoring, smart irrigation, targeted input application, and yield forecasting can significantly increase productivity while reducing costs and minimising environmental impact.
He said that these innovations are creating new employment opportunities for young people in agri-tech, geospatial services, and data-driven solutions.
He further highlighted that in the mining and industrial sectors, drone-based data and AI analytics are enhancing exploration efficiency, strengthening environmental monitoring, land management, and improving regulatory compliance, while also boosting investor confidence.
The Deputy Minister stressed that Ghana’s determination to transition from being a consumer of imported technologies to becoming a creator and exporter, supported by regulatory clarity, innovation financing, and regional collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He called on the private sector, academia, development partners, and young innovators to collaborate with the government in building a technology-driven industrial ecosystem.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
