Government to use AI to drive development-‎ Mr. Mohammed Sukparu

The Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Mr. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, has reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive national and continental development.

He made this statement during the official launch of AI Africa Labs in Accra and the graduation of 250 Platinum AI Trainers at the Accra Digital Centre.

Mr. Sukparu emphasised the government’s readiness to collaborate with private sector players, academia, and development partners to ensure that AI adoption in Ghana was inclusive, ethical, and transformative.

He commended the organisers, stating that AI Africa Labs would “localise and democratise AI for Africa’s development,” creating pathways for job creation and transforming innovative ideas into market-ready products and services.

The 250 graduating Platinum AI Trainers, equipped with advanced competencies, are expected to support Ghana’s industries, institutions, and economic growth. Mr. Sukparu stressed the importance of including rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups in the AI transformation.

The Deputy Minister noted that the launch of AI Africa Labs would be a milestone in Africa’s digital transformation and Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy Policy, which promotes productivity, digital enablement, and the development of a competitive, technology-driven workforce.

The launch featured demonstrations of AI-powered innovations such as SmartChicken and SmartFish farming systems, which significantly reduce livestock mortality rates to under 3% while doubling yields. Plans were also announced to extend the initiative to other African countries, starting with Nigeria and Kenya, as part of a broader cross-continent expansion.

AI Africa Labs, a Pan-African initiative funded by the African Diaspora Central Bank in partnership with the Vanuatu Trade Commission–Ghana and implemented by the Knowledge Web Center, is designed to apply AI to 200 key sectors of Africa’s economy, including agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, renewable energy, maritime, manufacturing, creative industries, and smart cities.

Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD