Ghana’s ambitious push toward artificial intelligence (AI) integration into public services risks falling short unless the country first strengthens its digital infrastructure, according to leading experts. At a recent Transformation Dialogues webinar—hosted by the World Bank Group Ghana Country Office, the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET), and the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)—participants underscored that AI is not merely a technological upgrade but a transformative government agenda requiring a multi-layered foundation of trusted data, seamless interoperability, secure digital identity, and enhanced governance.
The event, titled “Digital Innovation and the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Public Sector Services,” convened policymakers, technologists, development finance experts, and researchers to evaluate Ghana’s progress in digital transformation. While the country has made strides, experts warned that AI adoption alone cannot drive meaningful change without a solid digital backbone—one that ensures efficiency, equity, and scalability in service delivery.
The Case for Foundational Digital Infrastructure
Experts emphasized that AI’s potential in Ghana—ranging from healthcare diagnostics to tax administration and agricultural productivity—depends on pre-existing digital infrastructure. Without it, AI initiatives risk becoming isolated pilots with limited real-world impact, unable to address systemic inefficiencies in government operations.
Stela Mocan, Acting Director for Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Services at the World Bank Group, stressed that value in AI does not stem from advanced algorithms or computing power alone but from the integration of foundational systems. She cited global trends where governments—from the UK to the U.S. state of Georgia—are embedding AI into digital identity, healthcare, and financial services after laying robust infrastructure.
“Governments worldwide are moving AI from pilots to frontline services,” Mocan stated. “Ghana must follow this path—sequencing foundational work with safeguards to ensure AI is trusted, scalable, and citizen-centric.”
She highlighted that skipping foundational steps—such as unified data systems, secure authentication, and cross-agency interoperability—could lead to fragmented, unreliable AI deployments, ultimately failing to serve citizens effectively.
Ghana’s Progress and Persisting Challenges
While Ghana has established seven critical digital pillars, including:
– A national digital identity system (Ghana Card)
– Digital payment infrastructure (Mobile Money and e-levy systems)
– A government connectivity backbone (NITA’s national fibre network)
– Shared cloud and data centre capacity
– Public key infrastructure (PKI) for secure authentication
– Cybersecurity frameworks across public institutions
Solomon Kofi Richardson, Director of Technical Services at the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), acknowledged these achievements but identified interoperability as the biggest hurdle. Currently, government agencies operate with silos of data, leading to duplicated records, redundant processes, and fragmented service delivery—a major obstacle for AI integration.
“AI is not the first step; it is the outcome of a mature digital government ecosystem,” Richardson warned. “Without solving interoperability, any AI deployment will be built on shaky ground.”
To address this, NITA is developing the National Data Exchange Platform, designed on a “connect once, share many” principle. This system aims to standardize data sharing across agencies, ensuring AI systems receive accurate, real-time, and trusted information—a prerequisite for effective public service transformation.
Richardson outlined Ghana’s roadmap for AI readiness, which includes:
– Enhancing data quality and standardization
– Strengthening cross-agency interoperability
– Building AI literacy in the public sector
– Establishing responsible AI governance frameworks
– Driving institutional change management
Global Lessons in AI-Driven Public Service Transformation
James Stewart, Partner and Chief Technology Officer at Public Digital, reinforced the foundational argument through real-world case studies. He noted that successful AI implementations—such as:
– The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which used AI to automate 70% of public enquiries across 220 countries by consolidating 120 web pages.
– Georgia’s AI-powered treasury risk management tools, transitioned from pilot to full production in just six months.
– Barbados’ rapid digitization of public services by a small government team.
These examples demonstrate that AI’s true value lies in improving citizen experiences—making services faster, simpler, and more accessible. Stewart attributed this success to:
– Clear problem-solving focus
– Experimentation without fear of failure
– Leadership that prioritizes digital transformation
Key Challenges in Ghana’s AI Journey
Bob Floyd, Director of Innovation and Digital Policy at ACET, identified three critical challenges Ghana must overcome before AI can deliver optimal outcomes:
1. Adapting AI to local institutional realities – AI models must align with Ghana’s unique governance structures, cultural norms, and regulatory frameworks.
2. Data scarcity and quality – Reliable AI requires structured, high-quality data, which remains a major constraint in many African contexts.
3. Infrastructure gaps – Public institutions often lack adequate computing power, internet connectivity, and digital literacy to support AI deployment.
Floyd stressed that AI literacy across the public sector is just as vital as infrastructure investments. He called for:
– Cross-functional governance boards to oversee AI implementation.
– Workforce training programs to upskill government employees.
– Transparency and public trust mechanisms to ensure AI-driven decisions are accountable and ethical.
The Path Forward: A Balanced Approach
The consensus among experts was clear: Ghana must prioritize foundational digital infrastructure before scaling AI. While the country has laid strong groundwork, the next phase requires:
– Accelerated interoperability between government databases.
– Investment in data standardization and cybersecurity.
– Policy frameworks that encourage responsible AI innovation.
– Public-private partnerships to bridge infrastructure gaps.
As Mocan concluded, “This is not just a technology agenda—it is a growth and jobs agenda. By getting the foundations right, Ghana can unlock lower business costs, broader citizen access, and a more competitive economy.”
The dialogue underscored that AI is not a silver bullet but a tool—one that will only deliver transformative impact when embedded in a well-structured digital ecosystem. For Ghana, the journey has just begun, but the foundations are in place for a future where AI enhances, rather than disrupts, public service delivery.