Isaac Ansah giving a presentation at the conference
The Industry Engagement Forum 2024, held at the UPSA Auditorium on Thursday, May 23, focused on the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving technological advancement in Africa, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The theme, “AI and Industries Driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa”, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts towards digital transformation in Ghana.
The event served as a key platform for industry experts and thought leaders to come together to explore the transformative potential of AI in driving technological advancements across Africa.
Discussions throughout the forum revolved around this theme, highlighting the critical role that avenues of collaboration play in navigating the digital transformation landscape in Ghana and beyond.
One of the central aspects highlighted during the event was the importance of leveraging AI for sustainable growth and innovation in the African context.
Experts shared their insights on how AI can be leveraged to address challenges and seize opportunities in the region's technology sector, paving the way for economic development and enhanced competitiveness.
The forum inspired people to envision a future in which AI will drive Africa’s technological evolution.
Additionally, discussions at the forum highlighted the need to upskill Africa's workforce to thrive in the era of AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The focus on ensuring inclusivity in the digital environment resonated strongly, highlighting the need to provide equal access to AI-driven skills development for all members of society.
Ethical considerations surrounding the introduction of AI were also an important topic, and the need for a framework to promote fairness and transparency in the use of AI technology was emphasized.
At the forum, Isaac Ansah, a visually impaired employee of the Ghana National Gas Limited (GNGLC) who works in the Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility department and serves as a liaison between the company and disability organizations, provided an insightful demonstration of how he is using technology to improve his performance in the workplace.
He shared how, just like any other employee in the office, he uses a laptop or desktop to proficiently proofread documents, work with Excel and PowerPoint, send and receive emails with or without attachments, and reply accordingly.
When not sitting in front of their laptop, they use their mobile phone to complete tasks and respond to assigned duties as needed.
Commenting on how technology has impacted his work at Ghana Gas, Ansah told the audience how he used his expertise to support the Ghana Gas IT team in developing an easy-to-use scholarship portal to accept applications from potential recipients of the Ghana Gas Scholarship Scheme.
He then called on the President to award a national citation or honour to Dr. Ben Assanti in his speech, commending him for his unwavering support to disability organisations and for his pivotal role in giving Mr. Ansah the opportunity to become the first visually impaired person to be employed in the energy sector.
Ansah stressed that such recognition will be a great motivation for CEOs in both the public and private sectors to lead by example.
The event highlighted the potential of AI to drive economic growth and enhance competitiveness in Africa, sharing insights on addressing challenges and harnessing opportunities in the region's tech landscape.
The forum provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and build partnerships aimed at advancing AI in Africa.
It was emphasised that collaborative efforts are essential to harness AI for sustainable growth and prosperity.
The forum also highlighted the transformative potential of AI in creating inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Discussions included ethical considerations and the challenges of ensuring equal access to AI-driven skills development for all segments of society.
Among the invited speakers who attended the occasion were the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr. Osei Ashibey Antwi, Programme Leader, Education and Skills at Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Larisa Akrofi, Regional Manager West Africa at Sequent, Mr. Seth Miah, Managing Director of Andela Rwanda, Mr. Mike Ndimulkundo, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Development at Academic City University, Dr. Lucy Agyepong and staff from the Assistive Technology Centre at the Ghana Blind Union (GBU).
The Industry Engagement Forum 2024 served as a platform to showcase the transformative power of AI in upskilling Africa's workforce and promoting inclusion of people with disabilities.
The collaborative efforts highlighted at the event underscore the joint efforts needed to leverage AI for sustainable growth and prosperity in Africa.
The response from the forum continues to inspire stakeholders to work together to harness the potential of AI to drive sustainable progress and a brighter future for the region.
Erk
