{
  "id": 19763434,
  "title": "Ghana urges inclusive AI development as One Million Coders registrations exceed 140,000",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/ghana-urges-inclusive-ai-development-as-one-million-coders",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-13T04:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-urges-inclusive-ai-development-as-one-million-coders-registrations-exceed-140000/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana has urged the development of artificial intelligence, satellite connectivity, and other emerging technologies with a focus on people's needs. Minister Samuel Nartey George warned that technological progress shouldn't widen existing gaps or leave underserved communities behind. During a panel at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 in Doha, Qatar, he used four hypothetical Ghanaians to illustrate how international tech decisions could affect healthcare, connectivity, and economic opportunities.\n\nAddressing AI in healthcare, the Minister shared an AI service helping pregnant women access emergency care via basic mobile phones without internet. The service served over 7,000 mothers at a single Ghanaian hospital, demonstrating technology's potential to enhance maternal healthcare. George stressed that merely expanding network coverage isn't enough; access must be affordable, reliable, and beneficial to communities. He called for investments in digital infrastructure, skills development, and locally relevant content to address technology gaps in underserved areas.\n\nConcerning satellite spectrum and orbital resources, George cautioned against allowing first-mover countries or companies to claim exclusive control over space resources. He emphasized the need for fair allocation and management of these limited resources. On AI, he advocated for responsible, accountable systems that recognize local languages, reflect community realities, and provide avenues for explanation and redress when automated decisions impact individuals. He stressed that Africa's future in AI depends on Africa shaping it, calling for international cooperation among governments, companies, academia, and civil society to develop inclusive policies and standards.\n\nHighlighting Ghana's progress, George mentioned the One Million Coders Programme, which has registered more than 140,000 young people. He stressed the importance of equipping young people not just to use emerging technologies but to develop solutions, create innovations, and participate in the digital economy. Finally, George called for international partnerships that bolster local capacity, rather than create long-term dependence on external technologies. He identified technology transfer, increased investment, South-South cooperation, and standards addressing developing countries' priorities as crucial areas for collaboration. He reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to international partners to ensure emerging technologies promote digital inclusion, public trust, and sustainable development.",
  "summary": "Ghana has called for artificial intelligence (AI), satellite connectivity and other emerging technologies to be designed around people's needs, warning that technological advancement must not deepen existing inequalities or leave underserved communities behind.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}