Kweku Awotwi warns Africa of widening inequality due to lack of AI specialists — MyJoyOnline

Kweku Awotwi, chairman of Multimedia Group and Stallion Trust and Administration Company Limited in Accra, Ghana, warned that Africa risks deepening existing inequality if it does not develop the expertise and capacity to use artificial intelligence. According to him, the continent lags behind the rest of the world both in AI adoption and in generating the data needed for effective systems.

Awotwi spoke on September 30 at the 11th annual MOBA Meeting Series, held at the Ecobank Ghana head office in Accra. The event focused on discussing how Mfantsipim School can preserve and build on its legacy ahead of its 150th anniversary. As MyJoyOnline reports, he highlighted the technology's impact on medicine, science, law and software development.

Lack of data and specialists

According to Awotwi, AI reduces the time required for research, scientific discoveries and software creation. As an example, he cited the use of the technology to identify proteins and antibodies. At the same time, a significant share of the historical data used to develop large language models and other AI systems is of Western origin.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Awotwi noted that African populations, their experiences and social norms are underrepresented in such datasets. In his view, this may affect the effectiveness and relevance of AI applications for Africans, particularly in medicine and scientific research.

AI in education and regulation

He also urged educators not to try to exclude artificial intelligence from the learning process. In Awotwi's view, the discussion should focus on how to integrate AI into education and teach pupils and students to use the technology responsibly and productively.

Awotwi also advocated strengthening AI policies and governance mechanisms. He said Ghana is among a few countries with a national artificial intelligence strategy, but the existence of such a document alone is insufficient: its provisions must be translated into practical action. He called on Ghana and other African states to develop human capacity, data infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.