Ghana Hubs Network Urge Inclusive, Grassroots Approach to National AI Strategy
A coalition of over 75 innovation and technology hubs across Ghana is calling for a people-centred and locally relevant national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy that decentralises development, expands digital infrastructure, and empowers local talent.
In a newly released policy brief, the Ghana Hubs Network (GHN) urged the government to engage a broader base of regional stakeholders and prioritize community-level impact as it formulates a national AI roadmap. The group believes that Ghana has a unique opportunity to position itself as a continental leader in ethical and inclusive AI adoption, but warned that a capital-centric approach could leave rural communities behind.
“AI has the potential to transform Ghana’s economy, improve public service delivery, and position the country as a leader in digital innovation in Africa,” the GHN stated. “The approach must be inclusive, locally relevant, and driven by a broad base of stakeholders.”
The brief outlines six key recommendations, beginning with the promotion of decentralised AI development through regional hubs and community engagement. It calls for increased participation by women, youth, and marginalised communities in AI strategy design and implementation.
Talent development also features prominently. GHN proposes the integration of AI curricula in secondary and tertiary institutions, alongside support for training bootcamps and partnerships between innovation hubs, universities, and private firms.
The Network is also advocating for improved digital infrastructure in underserved areas and the establishment of national open data platforms under ethical data governance frameworks. It further calls for the creation of public-private funding mechanisms and innovation sandboxes to support AI-driven startups and experimentation.
On governance, the brief stresses the importance of building flexible and ethical regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with transparency and human rights protections. It also recommends that Ghana’s AI strategy prioritise high-impact sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and financial inclusion, where the technology could deliver measurable benefits in the short term.
“AI can create new industries and high-value jobs if local talent is empowered,” the brief notes, adding that Ghana can become an innovation leader by anchoring its AI ecosystem in local realities and regional strengths.
GHN has urged government ministries, agencies, and development partners to formally recognise innovation hubs as central actors in the national AI ecosystem and to fund collaborative initiatives aimed at building talent and testing real-world applications at the grassroots level.
The policy brief arrives as Ghana accelerates efforts to craft its first comprehensive national AI strategy amid a broader push for digital transformation under the government’s Ghana Digital Economy Policy.
