I honestly wish I could say that the dangers of artificial intelligence spillovers are distant realities. But that would be untrue.
Unlike my friend Sussana Mensah-Nelson , who commented on last week’s edition of The Future of Law & AI, saying she thinks “we are right where we need to be, not earlier or later,” I believe we are far behind when it comes to AI governance. Shouldn’t safeguards come before inventions?
Nevertheless, we are not so lost in our journey toward an interconnected AI world that we cannot recover. The Ghana Artificial Intelligence Practitioners’ Guide (2025), developed by Heritors Labs Ltd. in collaboration with GIZ Ghana, marks a turning point, at least for Ghana and other similar jurisdictions. It is the country’s first national framework for building an AI ecosystem rooted in ethics, inclusivity, and accountability.
At first, I thought it was just another policy paper. But after reading it, I realized it is much more. It is a national call to action and a vision of how Ghana can lead Africa in developing technology that serves people, not power. The Guide insists that AI must reflect our national values of fairness, collaboration, and community.
At its core, the Guide outlines seven key pillars for responsible AI development:
- Ethical and Legal Governance: ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability.
- Development and Deployment: building AI that solves Ghanaian problems using local data.
- Sector-Specific Applications: transforming agriculture, healthcare, energy, and education.
- Capacity Building: preparing Ghanaians to understand and question AI.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: supporting startups and youth-led innovation.
- Sustainability and Inclusion: ensuring women, rural communities, and persons with disabilities are part of Ghana’s AI future.
- AI for Development: using technology to enhance, not replace, human decision-making.
These are undoubtedly forward-looking pillars for responsible AI advancement. However, for AI governance advocates like myself, the Guide also raises serious concerns. Without coordination, Ghana’s AI ecosystem could become fragmented. And without binding laws, investors and creators may prioritize profits over safeguards.
This is why there is a clear need for a National AI Commission and for Parliament of Ghana to set standards, codify AI rules, and ensure compliance.
After reading this, I believe you will agree that AI cannot be left to chance or technology alone. It requires law, strong institutions, and human oversight.
For lawyers, policymakers, and innovators, this is a pivotal moment. Ghana is no longer waiting to catch up; it is leading with purpose. The task ahead is to ensure that every algorithm, every innovation, and every digital policy reflects our shared commitment to justice and human dignity.
AI is not the future. It is our present. What matters now is whether Ghana will shape it or be shaped by it. I honestly wish I could say that the dangers of artificial intelligence spillovers are distant realities.
Download Guide: Ghana Artificial Intelligence Practitioners’ Guide (2025)