The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise ethical considerations in the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), warning that its misuse could deepen inequality and threaten social trust.
Speaking at the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy on Friday, April 24, Bagbin acknowledged the transformative potential of AI technology, noting that it can significantly boost productivity, improve public service delivery, advance scientific discovery, and create new economic opportunities.
However, he cautioned that without proper regulation and oversight, AI could have damaging consequences and worsen societal challenges.
The Speaker emphasised that technological progress must be guided by strong moral principles, stressing that it is not enough for a country to be technologically advanced without ensuring ethical responsibility.
“Artificial intelligence can unlock productivity, improve public service delivery, enhance scientific discovery, and expand economic opportunity,” he said.
“At the same time, if left unchecked or poorly governed, it can deepen inequality, weaken social trust, threaten privacy, and marginalise the most vulnerable among us,” Bagbin noted.
“It is therefore not enough to be technologically advanced. We must also be morally grounded,” the Speaker stressed.
He described the responsible use of AI as a constitutional and ethical obligation, calling for an AI system that will uphold human dignity, protect democratic institutions, and promote inclusive development.
Mr. Bagbin further noted that Ghana must adopt an approach to AI that reflects its national values, ensuring that innovation benefits all citizens and contributes to equitable growth.
“It is our constitutional and ethical obligation to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a manner that unleashes the Ghanaian spirit, protects human dignity, safeguards our democracy, and expands opportunity for all.”
