By: Sarah Baafi
The Country Director of UNESCO in Ghana, Edmond Moukala, has called for a human-centered and culturally grounded approach to artificial intelligence, stressing that technology must ultimately serve people and protect national identity.
He made the remarks at the launch of Ghana’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, where government officials, development partners, academia, and private sector stakeholders gathered to outline the country’s digital future.
Mr. Moukala described Ghana’s strategy as more than a policy document, calling it “a bold statement about the future,” which reflects a national commitment to innovation, equity, and inclusive development. He emphasized that the strategy was the result of a rigorous and participatory process involving multiple stakeholders.
According to him, Ghana’s digital ecosystem shows strong potential, driven by a young and innovative workforce. However, he noted that there is still an urgent need for sustained investment in data governance, specialized education, and ethics-based oversight to ensure responsible AI development.
He highlighted UNESCO’s global Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by 194 member states, as a key framework guiding the organization’s work. The framework places human rights and dignity at the center of digital transformation and stresses that the true measure of technology is its impact on human life, not just efficiency or performance.
Mr. Moukala also underscored the importance of cultural identity in AI development, warning against the risk of global algorithms overshadowing local heritage. He argued that AI systems must be designed to understand and respect local languages and knowledge systems, adding that “culture is not an ornament; it is the very soul of development.”
He further illustrated the practical relevance of AI in everyday Ghanaian life, pointing to its potential use in education, agriculture, and creative industries. He said AI could support teachers in personalizing learning, help farmers make data-driven decisions to protect crops, and enable artists to reach global audiences while preserving Ghanaian aesthetics.
Looking ahead, the UNESCO Country Director reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Ghana in the implementation phase of its AI strategy. He said efforts would focus on strengthening research and innovation ecosystems to position Ghana as a leading hub for artificial intelligence in Africa.
He concluded by commending the collaboration between the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, the European Union, the United Nations system, and other partners. He urged Ghanaians to embrace the future with confidence, stressing that artificial intelligence must become a catalyst for a more prosperous, culturally vibrant, and dignified society.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com