Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has urged the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Ghana’s education system, cautioning that technology should serve as a learning aid rather than determine the future of students.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV, the Minister described AI as an indispensable part of the future of education and innovation but stressed that learners must be equipped with the right values and guidance to use digital tools responsibly.
“AI is the future, but we should not allow AI to define the tomorrow of our learners. They need to be guided ethically and responsibly, especially in the online use of gadgets and educationally assisted technologies,” he stated.
Mr. Iddrisu noted that while AI has the potential to transform teaching and learning, overdependence on technology without proper ethical guidance could undermine critical thinking and independent learning among students.
Beyond AI, the Education Minister highlighted several government initiatives aimed at making tertiary education more accessible, particularly for students facing financial difficulties.
He revealed that the government’s “No Fees Stress” initiative has already provided financial assistance to approximately 15,000 students who might otherwise have been unable to pursue higher education.
“With the introduction of the No Fees Stress initiative, we have spent about GH¢980 million to support about 15,000 Ghanaians who could not have been able to access tertiary education,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu also announced that government has extended free tertiary education support to persons living with disabilities as part of efforts to promote inclusive and equitable access to higher education.
Additionally, he disclosed plans to strengthen technical education by allocating GH¢10 million from the Ghana Education Trust Fund to each technical university across the country beginning next year.
According to the Minister, the interventions reflect government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities while ensuring that students are adequately prepared to embrace emerging technologies such as AI in a responsible and ethical manner.
