KEYNOTE ADDRESS_ BY THE HON. MINISTER_2026 E-LEARNING AWARENESS WEEK AND E-LEARNING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HON. SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE (MP), MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND INNOV ATIONS AT THE 2026 E - LEARNING AWARENESS WEEK AND E -LEARNING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (KNUST), KUMASI ON THURSDAY, 16TH JULY 2026 The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, Members of the University Council, Distinguished Faculty and Researchers, Development Partners, Industry Leaders, Students, Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, All Protocols Observed Good morning, It is both an honour and a privilege to join you this morning at the 2026 E -Learning Awareness Week and International Conference hosted by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology here in Kumasi. I bring you warms greetings from Hon Samuel Nartey George who wished to be here but due to some exigencies of work was not able. Permit me first to express my sincere appreciation to the Vice -Chancellor, the Registrar, the Organising Committee and the entire KNUST community for the invitation extended to me to deliver this keynote address at such an important and forward-looking gathering. This year’s theme, “Harnessing AI and Emerging Digital Technologies to Advance Inclusive, Equitable and Ethical Learning Ecosystems ,” is very timely and very relevant. Indeed, we are living through one of the most transformative periods in human history a period where artificial intelligence, digital innovation and emerging technologies are fundamentally reshaping economies, institutions and societies. More importantly, they are redefining the future of education itself. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Across the world, the nature of teaching, learning, research and knowledge sharing is undergoing rapid transformation. Artificial intelligence is changing how students learn, how lecturers teach, how institutions operate and how research is conducted. From adaptive learning systems and intelligent tutoring platforms to virtual laboratories, AI - assisted research and personalised education pathways, technology is no longer simply supporting education; it is becoming central to the architecture of modern learning ecosystems. For countries such as Ghana, this transformation presents a historic opportunity. It presents an opportunity to democratise access to quality education, bridge geographical and socio-economic learning gaps, empower underserved communities, and equip our young people with the competencies required for the digital economy of the future. At the same time, it presents a profound responsibility. A responsibility to ensure that technological advancement is guided by ethics, inclusion, accountability, and human -centred values. A responsibility to ensure that no citizen is excluded from the opportunities of the digital age simply because of location, gender, disability, or economic circumstance. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, As a Government, we recognise clearly that digital transformation is a national imperative. Digital transformation is central to economic competitiveness, public sector modernisation, human capital development and national resilience. Under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Ghana continues to pursue an ambitious digital transformation agenda aimed at positioning our country as a leading digital economy in Africa. At the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, our focus remains deliberate and strategic. We are working to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen nationwide connectivity, deepen digital inclusion and create an enabling environme nt for innovation, entrepreneurship and technological growth. One of the defining challenges of our generation is the widening global digital skills gap. As automation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to reshape industries and labour markets, the demand for advanced digital competencies is growing at an unprecedented pace. Educational institutions must therefore evolve just as rapidly as technology itself. Universities can no longer serve only as centres for academic instruction but must become engines of innovation, research, entrepreneurship and future-ready talent development. Institutions such as KNUST have a particularly critical role to play in shaping Ghana’s digital future. Our universities must lead national conversations around artificial intelligence governance, ethical technology development, cybersecurity, digital entrepreneurship, data systems, research commercialisation and innovation policy. They must also foster stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government to ensure that innovation moves beyond theory into practical national impact. The future of Ghana’s digital economy will depend not only on the technologies we adopt, but on the partnerships, we build and the talent we nurture. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, As we embrace artificial intelligence and digital learning systems, we must equally remain conscious of the risks and ethical implications associated with these technologies. Issues such as algorithmic bias, misinformation, data privacy breaches, cybersecurity threats and unequal access must never be underestimated. Technology must never become a new source of inequality or exclusion. Instead, it must become a powerful tool for empowerment, opportunity and social progress. This is why inclusion must remain at the very centre of our national digital transformation agenda. We must ensure that rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, underserved populations and young people are not left behind in the digital revolution. True digital transformation is not measured merely by technological sophistication. It is measured by how many lives are positively transformed through technology. The future workforce will require skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, software engineering, cloud computing, digital entrepreneurship and emerging technologies. Educational institutions therefore have a profound responsibility to prepare students not merely for today’s jobs, but for the industries and opportunities of the future. We must strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government to ensure that research and innovation translate into practical national development outcomes. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Africa possesses one of the youngest populations in the world. This demographic advantage presents enormous possibilities for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic transformation. With the right investments in education, digital skills, research and innovation ecosystems, Africa can become a global hub for technological advancement and digital enterprise. Ghana must position itself strategically within this emerging global landscape. We must empower our young people not merely to consume technology, but to create technology, build innovative solutions and lead Africa’s digital transformation journey. This requires sustained investment, visionary leadership and strong partnerships across government, academia, industry and development institutions. I therefore commend KNUST for providing this important platform to advance dialogue on artificial intelligence, digital learning and innovation. Dialogues such as this are essential for shaping ideas, influencing policy and building strategic partnerships for national transformation. The future we seek must be one where technology expands opportunity, strengthens resilience, promotes innovation and empowers every citizen to participate meaningfully in national development. Let us work together to build a Ghana where digital transformation creates prosperity for all, where innovation drives inclusive growth and where technology serves humanity with responsibility and purpose. Together, we can power Ghana’s digital future and position our nation as a competitive, innovative and inclusive knowledge economy. Thank you very much. May God bless our homeland Ghana.