Ghana has launched a structured artificial intelligence (AI) literacy programme for civil servants, marking a shift from policy declarations to hands-on capacity building as the country moves toward mandatory AI integration across its public institutions.

The first cohort of the three-day training commenced on March 24 at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra, with the program designed to equip civil servants with foundational AI knowledge and practical skills. The initiative is a partnership between the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The programme adopts a training-of-trainers model, with each participant expected to return to their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as an internal resource person, embedding AI knowledge across the civil service from within rather than through external dependency.

Alfred Nortey, Director of General Administration at the ministry, said AI presents clear opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen policy formulation, and enhance service delivery, while also demanding attention to governance and ethical considerations.

The curriculum spans machine learning, neural networks, and the AI development process, alongside the distinction between predictive and generative AI systems, with emphasis on human oversight to ensure accountability. The programme also addresses algorithmic bias, misinformation, data privacy, and cybersecurity.

Speaking on behalf of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, Elizabeth Obeng-Yeboah urged participants to take a leading role in translating national AI policy into measurable outcomes and to uphold principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Facilitators include UNESCO consultants Adekemi Omotubora and Ibrahim Goni, as well as AI governance expert Kuami Ahiabenu.

The programme will run in four cohorts between March and May 2026. It supports implementation of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2023-2033), which received cabinet approval in February 2026 and has been underpinned by a presidential directive requiring all government agencies to adopt AI tools in their operations during the course of this year.

Ghana currently leads the African continent in certified AI experts under the AiAfrica framework, with the government targeting 11 million trained Africans across the continent by 2030.