IMANI Associate and Technology Analyst, John Sitsofe Mensah, has called on Ghanaian universities to rethink assessment in the age of artificial intelligence by teaching students to interrogate AI outputs.
In a new analysis inspired by remarks by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, at the University of Lagos International Week on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Mensah argues that the traditional unsupervised take-home essay is dead as a measure of independent thought.
Prof Amfo had questioned: “If a student can generate an apparently competent essay in seconds, what exactly are we assessing when we ask for that essay?”
According to Mensah, rather than relying on AI detection tools and disciplinary threats, institutions should teach students to interrogate AI outputs, identify errors and exercise independent judgement.
He proposes a practical approach that protects foundational learning while preparing graduates for a labour market increasingly shaped by AI.
The analysis suggests keeping Levels 100 and 200 focused on core knowledge, analytical skills and supervised assessments before introducing more advanced AI-assisted work.
It also proposes testing judgement and not just output through in-class “Data Ambush” exercises that require students to identify deliberate errors in AI-generated briefs and proposals.
The paper calls for grounding learning in local evidence by asking students to test AI-generated claims against Ghanaian field data, technical measurements, local laws and primary research.
It further recommends transparent rules, requiring lecturers to demonstrate how they evaluate, correct and reject flawed AI outputs, while establishing clear governance for staff and students.
“AI is not an oracle to be obeyed; it is a confident, occasionally hallucinating junior researcher that must be interrogated,” Mensah stated.
The analysis urges universities, academic boards and regulators to move beyond policing AI and build assessment systems that develop critical thinking, accountability and practical AI fluency.
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