Minister for Environment, Science Technology and innovation, Hon. Dr. Kwaku Afriyie has announced Ghana’s partnership with the United Kingdom to use Artificial Intelligence for job creation in the country.
He was speaking at the Launch of the UK Ghana Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy 2023-2027 at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research’s (NMIMR) Conference centre in the University of Ghana, on 31st July, 2023.
The conference was dubbed “Science Technology and Innovation for a Sustainable Development: How do we leverage the opportunities of AI in a rapid advancing ecosystem without compromising safety?”
At the event, Hon. Kwaku Afriyie spoke on how the partnership between the two states would result in a desired Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution.
“The collaboration with the UK has given us a lot of experience and help in building our human capacity; we have a lot of experience in terms of collaboration and a lot of coordination in the scientific arena.”
Hon. Kwaku Afriyie further highlighted the vision of the government to aid the private sectors in the achievement of AI transformation.
“The government is also taking steps to support the establishment of offices for private sector collaborations and technology transfer. We also believe that we have done a lot better in terms of the potential that we have.”
Executive Director of Data protection commission, Patricia Adusei Poku expressed the thought of expanding AI education to enable improve national awareness on the subject.
She spoke on her commission’s goal to empower the youth in job acquisition.
“Our action plan so far in the development of our strategy is around expanding AI education and enabling improve national awareness of the subject. We also want to empower youths for jobs for the future to deepen digital infrastructure and whilst creating revolution facilitating data access and governance in Ghana.”
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom, James Cleverly, who was present at occasion, explained that the UK’s decision to partner with Ghana was to serve the interest of both countries and provide mutual benefits for both sides.
“The UK and Ghana share a common vision on science technology and innovation and we are already collaborating on science and technology. We are working in partnership with [Ghana] not just in the interest of the UK, but also in the interest of Ghana; it is about genuinely working on a future focus and a mutually beneficial relationship.”
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Story by | Abijah Abdul Latif | univers.ug.edu.gh
