The Head of the Responsible AI Lab at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, has called for increased investment in digital infrastructure to accelerate the development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, particularly within Ghana’s healthcare sector.
Speaking at the International Conference on AI in Healthcare and Pharma, Prof. Kponyo said robust digital infrastructure remains essential to unlocking the full potential of AI-driven healthcare innovations, stressing that deliberate investment is needed to ensure equitable access to emerging technologies across the country.
According to him, while AI presents enormous opportunities to transform healthcare delivery, several structural challenges continue to limit its widespread adoption, including inadequate infrastructure, fragmented data systems and unequal access to digital resources.
“Artificial Intelligence can only deliver its full value when the necessary infrastructure exists. Deliberate investment in data systems, computing capacity and digital connectivity is essential to ensure AI-powered healthcare solutions reach every community,”
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo
Prof. Kponyo observed that one of the greatest barriers to AI implementation in healthcare remains public acceptance and adoption.
He noted that new technologies are often met with skepticism, making education and awareness critical components of successful AI deployment.
To address this challenge, he said the Responsible AI Lab collaborates with key stakeholders to promote AI literacy and build public confidence in the responsible use of the technology.
According to him, increasing awareness among healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public will encourage wider acceptance and responsible adoption of AI-driven innovations.
Strong Data Systems Remain Critical
The AI researcher emphasized that reliable data forms the foundation of every successful AI ecosystem.
He explained that global discussions, including those led by the United Nations, consistently identify quality data, computing capacity and digital infrastructure as essential enablers of Artificial Intelligence.
However, Prof. Kponyo noted that Ghana currently lacks harmonized datasets capable of supporting the development of indigenous AI solutions tailored to local healthcare challenges.
Without integrated and standardized data, he cautioned, developers face significant limitations in designing accurate, context-specific AI applications capable of improving diagnosis, treatment and health system planning.
“Developing home-grown AI solutions requires quality, harmonised data. Without that foundation, our ability to build technologies that respond effectively to local healthcare needs will remain constrained,”
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo
Bridging the Urban-Rural Digital Divide
Beyond data availability, Prof. Kponyo highlighted disparities in digital infrastructure between urban and rural communities as another major obstacle to equitable AI deployment.
He observed that although some AI-enabled technologies and digital services are available in major cities, similar infrastructure is often absent in many rural areas.
According to him, this imbalance risks widening existing inequalities by allowing only sections of the population to benefit from AI-powered healthcare innovations.
He therefore called for intentional national investment to expand digital infrastructure beyond urban centres, ensuring that healthcare technologies powered by Artificial Intelligence become accessible to communities across the country.
Adoption Challenges Continue to Slow AI Integration
Prof. Kponyo stressed that equitable access should remain a guiding principle in Ghana’s AI development strategy, particularly as healthcare increasingly embraces digital transformation.
He maintained that providing reliable internet connectivity, adequate computing resources and supporting infrastructure would create the enabling environment needed for AI innovations to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
The KNUST professor reaffirmed that strategic infrastructure investment, combined with stronger data governance and sustained public education, will position Ghana to harness Artificial Intelligence as a transformative tool for improving health outcomes and advancing the country’s digital health agenda.
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