Emmanuel Ofori Urges Strategic Investment in Local Research and AI Datasets to End Foreign Tech Dependency

Emmanuel Ofori, the Director of Innovation at the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, has called for a significant increase in investment in research and development (R&D) to bolster Ghana’s technological independence. Speaking at the inaugural Research Symposium 2026 of the Young African Research Academy (YARA) in Accra, Mr. Ofori emphasized that reducing the continent’s reliance on foreign technology is a strategic necessity. He argued that for Africa to thrive in the digital age, it must prioritize the creation of indigenous technologies tailored to local realities and supported by homegrown data.

Central to this call is the challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its current limitations in the African context. Mr. Ofori highlighted that many existing AI systems are trained on foreign datasets that often fail to accurately reflect African languages, cultures, and nuances. He cited the difficulty foreign-sourced AI faces in producing natural-sounding Twi as a prime example of why local datasets are essential. By developing technologies based on indigenous data, Ghana and the wider continent can ensure that emerging tools are both culturally relevant and functionally effective for their citizens.

The symposium served as a platform for the next generation of African scholars, featuring presentations from YARA research fellows on critical societal issues. These projects addressed diverse topics, including the role of mobile money in enhancing financial inclusion and the complexities of maternal mental health. Isaac Aboah, the founder of YARA, underscored the academy’s mission to nurture young researchers with practical, evidence-based skills. He emphasized that early exposure to rigorous research is crucial for equipping youth to translate academic findings into actionable solutions that can inform government policy and drive development.

Beyond academic excellence, Mr. Ofori urged researchers to focus on the commercial viability of their work, suggesting that research should serve as both a solution to local problems and a sustainable source of income. He expressed the Ministry’s readiness to form partnerships that support young researchers in key sectors like health and technology. As Ghana moves forward, the collaboration between the government, academic institutions, and young innovators remains pivotal in transforming research into practical, commercialized technologies that can sustain the nation’s growth and reduce the digital divide.