The government and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) have stressed the need for Ghana to move beyond developing digital innovations to creating an ecosystem that allows local solutions to scale and generate sustainable economic opportunities.

The call was made at the opening of the 2026 National ICT Week, held under the theme “Innovation at Scale: Creating Opportunities Across Ghana’s Digital Ecosystem”.

The speakers at the event said while Ghana has made significant progress in digital infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, skills development and digital public services, stronger collaboration; investment and institutional support are needed to translate these gains into widespread economic benefits.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration and Finance, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, said Ghana is already witnessing rapid growth in its digital economy and must position itself to take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

“This is not a future possibility. It is happening now, and Ghana is positioning itself to lead this.”

She said government’s approach to innovation at scale is built around expanding digital infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities, digitalising public services, investing in digital skills and entrepreneurship, and strengthening cybersecurity and data protection.

According to her, these interventions must also create room for young innovators and technology startups to develop and grow.

“The field is dominated by enthusiastic young citizens who are using tech as a pathway out of economic hardship.”

She called for a more supportive financial and regulatory environment for young technology entrepreneurs and cautioned against imposing heavy taxation and other financial barriers on the tech businesses.

“We must discourage heavy taxation because this makes it exceedingly difficult for new developers and startups to scale.”

The Deputy Chief of Staff also highlighted the government's One Million Coders programme, saying the programme received 94,000 applications within 48 hours of its launch and has established centres across all 16 regions.

The Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu also said government is focused on building the policy, institutional, infrastructure and human-capital foundations required to sustain Ghana’s digital transformation.

He cited the Ghana National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, launched in April 2026, as a major step towards ensuring that Ghana adopts AI responsibly while developing the capacity to benefit from the technology.

“The strategy provides a national framework for the responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence with emphasis on data governance, infrastructure, talent development, ethical use, and vertical applications across sectors of the economy.”

He also said the Ministry has also initiated an AI capacity-building partnership with UNESCO, the UNDP and the Government of Japan to equip public officials with the knowledge to identify practical applications of AI and manage associated risks.

The Deputy Minister further described the One Million Coders programme as one of government's major investments in human capital.

“The One Million Coders programme represents one of the government's most important investments in human capital.”

He said government is also pursuing reforms to expand connectivity and investment in the telecommunications sector while strengthening digital services, data governance and emerging technology frameworks.

For NITA, the Board Chairperson, Estelle Akofio-Sowah, said Ghana's digital ecosystem can only thrive when technology is backed by strong institutions, sound policies, skilled professionals and secure infrastructure.

She stressed that innovation should not remain concentrated in a few institutions or sectors but should create opportunities for young innovators to build, collaborate and scale their businesses.

“Whenever we come together to work together, that's when we really see innovation moving from idea to solution at scale.”

She added that the country's digital transformation must be inclusive, secure, sustainable and focused on creating tangible value for citizens.

“We need to ensure that innovation is inclusive, it's secure, it's sustainable, interoperable, and focused on creating real value for all.”

The Board Chairperson further urged stakeholders to use the National ICT Week as a platform to forge partnerships that extend beyond the event.

“We encourage you to spend all your time over the next few days connecting, challenging us, sharing ideas, and building the Ghana digital ecosystem.”

The government also highlighted examples of digital interventions already being implemented across public institutions including AI-enabled systems, digital passport applications and digitalisation initiatives within the ports sector.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, however, cautioned that the benefits of technology must be balanced with measures to address the digital divide, cybersecurity threats and responsible content creation.

“Technology is also a weapon when wielded carelessly.”

She called for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, increased skills training with deliberate inclusion of young people, women and persons with disabilities, stronger cybersecurity and digital literacy, and support for local innovators to commercialise their solutions.

The speakers also called for stronger partnerships between government, academia and industry to ensure research can translate into innovation, innovation into products, and businesses into sustainable economic activity.

The National ICT Week, organised by NITA, brings together government institutions, technology companies, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for advancing Ghana’s digital economy. 

The event is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.