Accra: Stakeholders in the technology and innovation ecosystem have welcomed the newly developed Ghana Artificial Intelligence (AI) Practitioners’ Guide (GAIPG) as a step for ethical and localised creativity in the space. Speaking at the official launch of the document in Accra, the stakeholders unanimously asserted that the guidebook was timely for sound policy formulation and legislation to underpin the rapid adoption and integration of artificial intelligence in Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, a renowned Public Relations and IT communications specialist, expressed his satisfaction with the GAIPG, emphasizing its potential to influence policy. He encouraged tech enthusiasts, innovators, and policymakers to explore the provisions and recommendations in the guidebook as they continue to shape AI applications in various sectors. Dr. Ayiku noted that the guidebook is not exclusive to those in the tech space but is intended for any Ghanaian interested in artificial intelligence.
The guidebook was developed by Heritors Labs in collaboration with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All programme. The GAIPG is intended to serve as a roadmap to foster innovation, promote ethical AI practices, and strengthen the adoption of responsible AI technologies tailored to the Ghanaian context. It provides a detailed overview of Ghana’s AI landscape, including mappings of stakeholders, policies, and infrastructural foundations and gaps.
Ms. Ewuradwoa Assaba Paintsil, a representative from the Ghana Bar Association, commended the drafters for creating an inclusive guide that reflects the interests of all stakeholders in the ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of the guidebook being a living document open to suggestions and inputs from the broader community. Paintsil expressed her excitement about its dissemination to all individuals, including those at the base of the tech ladder, as they aim to shape policies and laws that will promote innovations in Ghana’s artificial intelligence space.
The GAIPG offers actionable ethical guidelines and practical recommendations that encourage AI development and implementation in Ghana. It aligns with international standards and local priorities, including provisions for vulnerable and differently abled persons. Copies of the guide will be available online for end-users to access.