Kambale Musavuli, Managing Director of Aether Strategies, has urged African countries to invest more in education and innovation to fully harness the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking at the Beyond AI Series, where policymakers, industry experts, and stakeholders gathered to discuss how Ghana can leverage AI to transform agriculture, Mr Musavuli noted that the United States and China currently dominate the global AI landscape.
He, however, observed that Ghana is making encouraging progress and is not significantly behind some European countries in the adoption and use of AI tools.
According to him, the launch of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy demonstrates the country’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies and positions it for significant transformation over the next decade.
Mr Musavuli recalled attending the launch of the strategy a few months ago, where President John Dramani Mahama outlined the country’s vision for AI-driven development.
He stressed that while government, the private sector, and development partners all have important roles to play, citizens, particularly young people, must also contribute to building the foundations of a thriving AI ecosystem.
He called for the creation of platforms that would enable young innovators to showcase ideas, demonstrate solutions, collaborate, and share knowledge through AI.
Contributing to the discussion, Mr Joseph Lawrence Hammond highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairments.
He argued that disability issues in Ghana have traditionally been approached from a charity perspective and urged a shift toward a productivity-based model that focuses on the capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities.
According to him, many persons with disabilities possess exceptional talents and skills but often face barriers that limit their participation in national development.
Mr Hammond noted that discussions on key issues such as climate change, agriculture, and economic development frequently overlook persons with disabilities, despite their ability to make meaningful contributions.
He stressed the need for greater inclusion in policy conversations and development initiatives.
He further stated that society should focus on unlocking the potential of persons with disabilities rather than concentrating solely on their challenges.
Mr Hammond also questioned whether the numerous civil society organisations and government institutions advocating for persons with disabilities are ensuring their active participation in decision making processes.
He called for deliberate efforts to include them in national discussions and development programmes.
Mr Francis Kwasi Korankye, Deputy Director for Agriculture at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, also underscored the growing importance of artificial intelligence in the agricultural sector.
He pointed out that data remains a valuable and costly resource, stressing that organisations that collect and utilise people’s data must be held accountable.
Mr Korankye noted that AI is rapidly transforming industries around the world and has been identified as a key component of Ghana’s development agenda under the recently launched AI Strategy.
He argued that agriculture should not merely be viewed as another sector benefiting from technological innovation but as a matter of national security.
According to him, AI can provide farmers with critical information needed to improve productivity, including weather forecasts, optimal planting periods, fertiliser application schedules, and other precision farming techniques.
Mr Korankye encouraged young people to explore opportunities in agriculture alongside their existing careers, describing farming as a viable source of income and economic empowerment.
He said increased youth participation in agriculture, supported by technology and innovation, could contribute significantly to national development and food security.
