Cabinet approves $250million AI centre, strategy launch set for April

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that Cabinet has approved a $250 million investment to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer centre.

The initiative would accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation and position the country as a leading hub for responsible AI innovation in Africa.

Announcing the decision at a National Stakeholder Engagement on Ghana’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) Report, convened in partnership with UNESCO and funded by the European Union, Mr George revealed that the Cabinet has also approved Ghana’s National AI Strategy, which would be launched on April 24, 2026.

He described the approval as a milestone in Ghana’s digital policy journey, noting that the strategy would drive AI adoption across agriculture, healthcare, education, financial services, and other sectors.

The Minister explained that UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology provides a framework to evaluate Ghana’s preparedness in governance, infrastructure, data ecosystems, research, economic readiness, and ethical safeguards.

He said the findings “will directly inform policy decisions and implementation planning.”

Mr George identified four priority areas for implementation: strengthening data governance systems, investing in AI research and computing infrastructure, expanding AI education and digital skills, and embedding ethical safeguards in deployment.

The Minister emphasised that Ghana’s ambitions align with the broader African continental agenda, particularly as the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat has its headquarters in Accra.

UNESCO Representative, Mr Moukala, stressed the importance of strong institutions in digital transformation, urging government officials to adopt agile regulatory approaches that protect citizens while enabling innovation. He described the validation of the RAM report as a milestone of local and continental significance, reflecting Ghana’s commitment to harnessing AI with integrity.