Urgent Call for AI Adoption in Ghana to Prevent Data Exploitation
In a bid to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and safeguard against digital exploitation, Ghana is set to host an AI Boot Camp from July 25–26, 2025, in the Eastern Region. The intensive training program, designed for Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and designated focal persons within ministries, aims to introduce these leaders to fundamental AI principles and equip them with the skills to create AI-driven solutions that can improve governance, policy-making, and service delivery.
The AI Boot Camp is part of Ghana's broader effort to position itself as a leader in African AI adoption. Hon. Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations in Ghana, has emphasised the urgent need for this transformation, warning of the critical need to prevent data colonization and digital exploitation, particularly in the context of Africa's tech-savvy population under 35.
The program, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will cover an introduction to AI principles relevant to government and public service, as well as the development of tailored AI use cases specific to government needs and functions. Before the boot camp, focal persons will receive introductory AI training to prepare them for the workshop.
Each Ministry is required to designate a technical focal person to support implementation and preserve institutional memory. The AI Boot Camp aims to generate tailored AI use cases specific to each Ministry, with the ultimate goal of ensuring practical and strategic AI adoption within the public sector.
Hon. Nartey George, in a public lecture hosted by the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS) during the 2025 Civil Service Week Celebration and 2024 Awards Ceremony in Accra, stressed the importance of a whole-of-government approach to AI adoption. He also reiterated the need to prevent digital exploitation by managing and protecting the massive volumes of data generated by Africa's tech-savvy population.
The Minister further emphasised that transformation without vision would yield limited results. He called for swift institutional reform and emphasised the long-term sustainability of these initiatives as crucial for building a future-proof Civil Service. He also announced that all Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and designated focal persons will participate in the two-day AI Boot Camp.
The AI Boot Camp serves as a foundational capacity-building initiative to foster AI literacy and application among senior government officials, enabling them to lead Ghana's AI transformation efficiently and responsibly. Hon. Nartey George concluded by stating that each Minister will leave the AI Boot Camp with actionable cases to improve service delivery.
The AI Boot Camp, collaboratively developed with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will cover streaming technology as it pertains to AI applications in government and public service. This initiative, aimed at senior government officials, is also designed to introduce them to artificial-intelligence principles and the development of AI-driven solutions.
To ensure practical and strategic AI adoption within the public sector, the AI Boot Camp aims to generate tailored AI use cases specific to each Ministry, leveraging the power of technology to improve governance, policy-making, and service delivery. Additionally, before the boot camp, focal persons will receive introductory AI training to prepare them for the workshop, reinforcing the importance of technology in implementing and preserving institutional memory.
