Minister in Ghana Advocates for Preparedness in AI and IT Renovations to Enhance Cybersecurity Defense
Ghana's Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance the country's AI readiness and cybersecurity. The minister's proposals aim to strengthen security protocols, improve user training, and advance AI deployment across key ministries.
The minister's plans, revealed at a stakeholder session on AI readiness held at the Ministry of Finance, include a phased AI rollout targeting five priority ministries: Finance, Interior, Lands and Natural Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the minister's own ministry.
Enhancing Security Protocols
To address the rising cyber threats, Ghana aims to strengthen its cybersecurity measures. The minister's plans involve implementing IT reforms that modernize infrastructure, enforce data governance, and standardize security practices across ministries. This aligns with broader African cybersecurity trends that emphasize investments in resilient cloud strategies and regional data hosting.
User Training and Capacity Building
The minister emphasizes the importance of integrating AI readiness into user training across public institutions. This involves enhancing digital pedagogy for government workers and the education sectors, leveraging AI tools like GPT-based educator assistants, and collaborating with private sector initiatives to upskill the workforce. Training will focus on ethical AI use, data privacy, and cultural inclusivity to avoid digital exclusion.
Rolling Out AI in Key Ministries
Plans include systematic AI integration in core ministries by adopting national AI strategies in line with Africa Union and UNESCO AI readiness benchmarks. This supports sectors such as education, healthcare, and business services, facilitating personalized learning, improved service delivery, and operational efficiencies. Public–private partnerships are encouraged to accelerate AI adoption and infrastructure development.
The minister has also highlighted the success of centralised licensing arrangements with Microsoft, which have saved the government tens of millions of dollars. Similar consolidation of enterprise software contracts is planned to eliminate unnecessary spending.
AI Deployment and Budget Allocation
The minister urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate a dedicated budget line for AI deployment in the 2026 fiscal year. The National Data Centre is scheduled for an upgrade to meet current and future hosting demands, with funding discussions ongoing with the Ministry of Finance.
Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns
Hon. Nartey George revealed that multiple government portals have been targeted by cyberattacks. Attempts were made to manipulate human resources databases in these cyberattacks, and the minister attributed these breaches to poor personal cyber hygiene. To address this, the minister plans to work closely with the Cyber Security Authority.
In conclusion, Ghana's approach reflects a comprehensive strategy that combines policy alignment, infrastructural upgrade, capacity building, and AI deployment to enhance national AI readiness and cybersecurity resilience. This is in line with continental efforts to harness AI sustainably while addressing the digital skills gap and security challenges.
- The Minister for Communication in Ghana aims to strengthen the country's cybersecurity measures by implementing IT reforms that modernize infrastructure, enforce data governance, and standardize security practices across ministries.
- To ensure ethical AI use and avoid digital exclusion, the minister's plans involve enhancing digital pedagogy for government workers and the education sectors, leveraging AI tools like GPT-based educator assistants, and collaborating with private sector initiatives to upskill the workforce.
- The minister's plans include a phased AI rollout targeting five priority ministries, including Finance, Interior, Lands and Natural Resources, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the minister's own ministry, to support sectors such as education, healthcare, and business services.
- To accelerate AI adoption and infrastructure development, the minister encourages public–private partnerships and has highlighted the success of centralised licensing arrangements with Microsoft, which have saved the government tens of millions of dollars.
- In response to multiple government portals being targeted by cyberattacks, the minister plans to work closely with the Cyber Security Authority to address cybersecurity concerns and improve personal cyber hygiene.
