Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare calls for inclusive and ethical AI governance at UNCTAD XVI in Geneva
Ghana‘s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Honourable Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has called for inclusive and ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure that technological progress benefits all.
She made the call on 21st October 2025 during the sixteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) in Geneva, where Ministers and senior officials from around the world gathered to deliberate on “Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Governance.”
Speaking during Panel 2, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare emphasised the transformative potential of AI as a driver of economic diversification, trade facilitation, and industrial productivity.
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She cautioned, however, that the technology must be deployed responsibly to remain inclusive, ethical, and development-oriented.
According to her, AI, digitalisation, and automation are reshaping agriculture, industry, and services across the globe, creating new opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as for women and youth entrepreneurs.
“Africa cannot afford to be a bystander in the AI revolution,” she stated. “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 such as Ghana’s 10-Year National AI Strategy, the National E-Commerce Policy, and the One Million Coders Programme, which aim to build digital competencies and position Ghana as a regional innovation hub.
She also referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s leadership in advancing digital transformation, noting his directive that each Minister integrate an AI use case into their portfolio and his recent AI Bootcamp for Cabinet members as examples of government commitment.
On AI governance, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare called for stronger international cooperation on ethics, data protection, and cybersecurity, emphasising the need for common standards, transparency, and fairness.
“We should not fear AI,” she said. “We should be inspired by its potential to boost productivity, create decent jobs, and empower all segments of society.”
Ghana’s participation in the UNCTAD XVI AI Panel underscores the country’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation-led industrialisation, and responsible technology governance, in alignment with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy (2024) and the Global Digital Compact.
