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Ghana's Speaker of Parliament warns of AI's promise and peril at strategy unveiling
via GhanaWeb1 min read
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, cautioned that Artificial Intelligence AI offers significant opportunities but requires careful management to mitigate risks. Speaking at the unveiling of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Accra on April 24, 2026, Bagbin highlighted the event as a critical milestone for the country. He described the strategy as a national vision aimed at positioning Ghana as a leader in the ethical and responsible application of emerging technologies across Africa. Bagbin acknowledged AI's transformative power in various sectors globally, including economies, governance, education, healthcare, and security. However, he stressed that AI's rapid evolution necessitates proper regulation, warning that its benefits come with potential downsides if mismanaged. He noted that while AI can enhance productivity, improve public services, and expand economic opportunities, it could also exacerbate inequality, erode trust, and threaten privacy if not handled correctly. The Speaker emphasized the importance of ethical oversight, urging stakeholders to ensure technological advancement is paired with strong moral responsibility. He underscored Ghana’s constitutional obligation to deploy AI in ways that safeguard human dignity, strengthen democracy, and foster inclusive opportunities, stating that technological advancement must be morally grounded.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, emphasized the need for Artificial Intelligence to align with human development during the unveiling of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Accra. Bagbin highlighted his commitment to ensuring AI deployment is guided by robust legislation, describing the strategy as a "social contract" rooted in Ghana’s values of fairness, inclusiveness, accountability, and justice. He cautioned against technological progress outpacing human development, stressing that innovation should benefit all segments of society, including rural communities, youth, the elderly, and Persons Living With Disabilities. Bagbin envisions an AI-enabled Ghana where both human and Artificial Intelligence address challenges in agriculture, education, healthcare, public sector efficiency, and youth employment. He noted Parliament's role in shaping AI governance through necessary legal frameworks for accountability, safety, and public trust. Bagbin also called for a multi-stakeholder approach, urging universities, research institutions, the private sector, and civil society to contribute actively, promoting ethics, responsible innovation, and accountability. He commended the various stakeholders who contributed to the strategy's development.
President John Dramani Mahama has assured the public that the reconstruction of the La General Hospital is expected to be completed and commissioned by November 2027. During a working visit to the project site on Friday, April 24, 2026, President Mahama commended the contractor and staff for their progress and urged them to ensure timely delivery. He emphasized the project's importance for improving healthcare in Accra, noting that patients previously using the facility have had to seek care at other major hospitals like Ridge Hospital, LEKMA, or Korle Bu. The new 160-bed facility will significantly increase bed capacity in the capital, addressing complaints about insufficient beds for emergencies. President Mahama highlighted the necessity of expanding healthcare infrastructure due to Accra's rapid population growth and increasing demand for quality healthcare services. The €50 million facility, which was demolished in 2020 due to structural defects, had faced delays due to funding challenges linked to the previous government’s debt restructuring program.
Afrobarometer, a Pan-African civil society group, is holding the inaugural Data for Governance Alliance D4GA continental convening in Accra, Ghana. The event, running from April 20 to April 24, 2026, focuses on "Reflecting on the journey: D4GA’s impact and learning from 2021–2025." Civil society organizations from across Africa are attending to review progress in capacity building, data analysis, data usage in advocacy, and data communication. The convening also aims to assess the effectiveness of collaborations with policy actors and African Union organs, and to strengthen commitments towards the vision of Agenda 2063 of the African Union. Prof E Gyimah-Boadi, a senior adviser at Afrobarometer, emphasized the D4GA's importance for African development, especially amidst democratic backsliding and authoritarian resurgence. He stated that strengthening civil society and the D4GA is an investment in the future of African democratic governance. The D4GA was created to address critical gaps: limited citizen awareness of Agenda 2063, insufficient access to citizen-generated data for CSOs, and challenges in tracking the implementation of African governance platforms' commitments. Ambassador Salah Hammad, head of the African Governance Architecture AGA Secretariat, commended the initiative but highlighted a challenge: while data collection is successful, policymakers and citizens often do not utilize it for decision-making. He urged the D4GA to make data easily accessible and digesti
The Ghana Grid Company GRIDCo has launched an investigation into a fire that occurred at the Akosombo Substation on April 23, 2026, around 2:01 PM. The incident disrupted power supply in various parts of the country. Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the site to assess the situation and implement corrective measures. GRIDCo is currently conducting a full evaluation to determine the extent of the damage and guide restoration efforts. The company assured the public that technical teams are working to stabilize the system and restore normal operations swiftly, urging calm and promising further updates. The cause of the fire has not yet been disclosed.