Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Mohammed Adams Sukparu has challenged universities to equip educators with the knowledge and skills needed to guide students in the effective and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He said universities could not afford to leave educators behind as AI rapidly changes education, workplaces and the wider economy.
Mr Sukparu made the call at the launch of the Africa Upskilling AI Programme at the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) main campus in Accra.
He said Ghana’s ability to benefit from AI would depend not only on access to the technology but also on developing people who understand how to use it responsibly and productively.
According to the Deputy Minister, educators have a critical role to play in shaping how the next generation interacts with AI and ensuring that students acquire skills that remain relevant as technology continues to evolve.
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He stressed the need for responsible AI adoption, describing the technology as an important component of Ghana’s digital transformation and national development agenda.
Mr Sukparu also called for stronger collaboration between universities and industry to ensure that AI training is aligned with real economic and workplace needs.
He said AI education should not be confined to computer science and other technology-related disciplines but should be integrated into areas such as agriculture, healthcare, engineering, finance, education and the creative industries.
The Africa Upskilling AI Programme, sponsored by Google through the FATE Foundation in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Ghana (AIMS), will train more than 40 students and educators across four universities in Ghana.
Similar programmes are being held in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa as part of efforts to strengthen AI capabilities among young people and educators across Africa.
Mr Sukparu said building the capacity of educators was essential if universities were to produce graduates capable of navigating and contributing to an economy increasingly shaped by AI.
