The UNESCO Representative to Ghana and Head of Office in Accra, Edmond Moukala, has cautioned against allowing global algorithms to erode Ghana’s identity, stressing that artificial intelligence must be designed to empower people, not replace them.
Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s National AI Strategy on April 24, Mr Moukala said the framework places human rights and human dignity at the heart of the country’s digital transformation agenda.
According to him, the real value of technological progress should be measured not by speed or efficiency, but by its impact on people’s lives.
“In Ghana, this mission takes on a particularly vibrant meaning,” he said, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage, linguistic diversity and intellectual traditions.
Mr Moukala stressed that AI systems must be rooted in local realities to achieve true inclusivity, noting that technology should be able to recognise and reflect Ghanaian languages, cultures and knowledge systems.
He pointed to recent demonstrations of AI tools communicating in local Ghanaian languages as a sign of progress, insisting that culture must remain central to development efforts.
“Culture is not an ornament; it is the very soul of development,” he stated.
He explained that Ghana’s AI strategy seeks to ensure that emerging technologies reflect the country’s cultural identity while serving as a tool for empowerment rather than displacement.
Mr Moukala also praised the partnership between UNESCO, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, and the European Union, describing it as a strong example of international cooperation.
He added that Ghanaian experts and policymakers played a crucial role in adapting global AI principles into a locally relevant roadmap tailored to the country’s unique development needs.