• Ghana approved a $250 million investment to build an AI center.

• The facility will support research and deployment across key sectors.

• Authorities aim to position Ghana as a hub for responsible AI despite digital divide challenges.

The Ghanaian government plans to establish a computing center dedicated to artificial intelligence to support the development and use of the technology in the country. The executive branch has approved a $250 million investment for this purpose.

Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technologies and Innovation, announced the initiative on Tuesday, March 31 during a national stakeholder meeting focused on Ghana’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM).

According to the ministry, the center will support research, development, and deployment of AI solutions in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services. It will also strengthen technological innovation and position Ghana as a leading hub for responsible AI in Africa.

Strengthening AI Efforts

This initiative forms part of broader efforts by Ghanaian authorities to advance AI, which holds a central role in the country’s digital transformation strategy. The government has already developed a national AI strategy, with an official launch scheduled for April 24.

Meanwhile, Ghana is preparing an AI readiness assessment in partnership with UNESCO and with funding from the European Union. Mr. George stated that the study provides a framework to evaluate preparedness in governance, infrastructure, data ecosystems, research, economic readiness, and ethical safeguards.

He added that the assessment findings will directly guide policy decisions and implementation planning. He identified four priority areas: strengthening data governance, investing in AI research and computing infrastructure, expanding AI education and digital skills, and integrating ethical safeguards into technology deployment.

On March 24, authorities launched the first cohort of a national AI training program for civil servants to strengthen public sector capacity. The initiative uses a “train-the-trainer” model and covers core AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and the stages of designing and deploying AI systems.

It also emphasizes the distinction between predictive AI and generative AI, as well as the importance of human oversight to ensure reliability, accuracy, and accountability in deployed systems.

“This initiative should strengthen institutional capacity, foster collaboration, and support responsible AI integration within the administration, thereby positioning Ghana’s civil service to deliver more efficient, innovative, and citizen-centric public services,” the Ministry of Communication said in a statement published on Facebook.

Digital Divide Challenges

While artificial intelligence offers transformative potential across sectors, it also presents significant challenges, including the digital divide. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that this persistent divide remains a major barrier to AI adoption in the public sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and least developed countries.

In Ghana, mobile penetration exceeds 110%, with around 38 million subscriptions, which authorities consider a favorable base for digital technology development. However, this figure may overstate reality because statistics typically count each active SIM card as a subscriber, even though individuals may own multiple SIM cards.

Official sources indicate that nearly 30% of the population still lived in unconnected rural areas in 2022. According to the International Telecommunication Union, internet penetration reached 72.2% in 2024, compared with 73.1% for mobile telephony, highlighting a gap between access and usage.

At the same time, 4G usage remains below 60% despite national coverage exceeding 90%, according to official data. In addition, the World Bank estimates smartphone penetration at 53% among people aged over 15.

This article was intially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum