President John Dramani Mahama has called for ethical and inclusive global governance frameworks to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging digital systems, warning that rapid technological innovation is far outpacing existing governance structures.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, President Mahama said the world is entering a new era in which AI, biotechnology, and digital systems are reshaping economies and societies, while global governance frameworks struggle to keep up with the pace of change. 

He highlighted Ghana’s progress in digital transformation, citing advances in mobile financial inclusion, the national identification system, and ongoing e-governance reforms as evidence of the country’s commitment to building a resilient digital economy. 

However, President Mahama cautioned against a digital future dominated by a small number of advanced nations, warning that unequal access to technology could deepen global inequality. 

“The digital future must not be the privilege of a few nations,” he stressed, adding that future global alliances must prioritise ethical artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity cooperation, technology transfer, and inclusive digital capacity-building. 

He argued that innovation must be treated as a shared global good rather than a source of new divisions, and called for stronger international collaboration to ensure that technological progress benefits all societies.

President Mahama urged global leaders to adopt policies that promote fairness, accountability, and inclusivity in the deployment of emerging technologies, as the world navigates an increasingly digital and interconnected future.