Empowering Africa’s AI Future: Ghana’s Trade Minister calls for inclusive and ethical AI governance at UNCTAD XVI

On 21st October, 2025, the Honourable Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, joined Ministers and senior officials from around the world at UNCTAD XVI in Geneva to deliberate on “Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Governance.”
In her intervention during Panel 2, the Minister underscored the importance of harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool for economic diversification, trade facilitation, and industrial productivity, while ensuring that its deployment remains inclusive, ethical, and development-oriented.
She noted that AI, digitalization, and automation are reshaping agriculture, industry, and services, creating new opportunities for MSMEs, women, and youth entrepreneurs. When applied responsibly, these technologies can boost productivity, expand digital trade, and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.
“Africa cannot afford to be a bystander in the AI revolution,” she remarked. “We must build the infrastructure, data systems, and digital skills that allow us to use AI for inclusive transformation, not deepen divides.”
The Minister highlighted national initiatives, including the 10-Year National AI Strategy, National E-Commerce Policy, and the One Million Coders Programme, which aim to build digital skills and position Ghana as a regional innovation hub. She also referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership, noting his directive that each Minister integrate an AI use case into their portfolio and his recent AI Bootcamp for Cabinet members as evidence of government commitment to digital transformation.
On AI governance, she called for international cooperation on ethics, data protection, and cybersecurity, emphasizing common standards, transparency, and fairness. She also encouraged, that we should not fear AI, we should be inspired by its potential to boost productivity, create decent jobs, and empower all segments of society.”
Ghana’s participation in the AI Panel reflects its commitment to digital transformation, innovation-led industrialization, and responsible technology governance, aligned with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy (2024) and the Global Digital Compact.