By Stanley Senya
Accra, Sept. 3, GNA – MTN Ghana has trained media practitioners and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on their work as part of efforts to build capacity on emerging technologies.
The training, held in Accra and streamed virtually, brought together journalists and civil society representatives to explore the capabilities, limitations and responsible use of AI in their professional activities.
A statement issued in Accra said the participants were taken through effective prompting and practical applications of AI tools, including ChatGPT, to support research, content development, data analysis and everyday workflow.
It said facilitators for the training were Mr Samuel Adranyi, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Afrilogic Solutions, Mr Nehemiah Yelu Attigah, Chief Executive Officer of HatuaTech, and Mr Kwame Manu, Senior Manager, Digital Analytics and Monetisation at MTN Ghana.
Madam Efua Falconer, Acting Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at MTN Ghana, said the rapid pace of technological change made it necessary for professionals to understand AI and adapt to its growing applications.
“We all agree that our environment is changing, and that technology is impacting the way we live and work,” she said.
She encouraged participants to ask questions and actively engage the facilitators.
She said participants were at different stages of understanding AI, adding that MTN Ghana
considered the media and civil society key stakeholders in discussions about emerging technologies and their implications.
Mr Kwame Manu, Senior Manager, Digital Analytics and Monetisation at MTN Ghana urged participants not to be intimidated by the complexity of AI but to remain curious and continue learning about its concepts, applications and evolving capabilities.
He highlighted the growing importance of data analytics and automation in business, explaining that the technologies helped organisations understand customer behaviour, automate routine processes and predict future trends.
Mr Manu said the company’s AI journey was aligned with the MTN Group’s strategic digital agenda, moving from basic reporting systems towards advanced predictive analytics and prescriptive engines capable of delivering hyper-personalised customer experiences.
He said MTN Ghana was collaborating with government and public institutions to explore the use of mobility data for policymaking and disease tracking, while also working with universities, including the University of Ghana, to establish specialised AI research squads and retain local talent.
He added that the company was engaging STEM education partners to provide structured mentorship opportunities for young people, as well as collaborating with AI startups and media organisations to develop inclusive solutions that addressed African realities.
Data privacy and fact-checking also featured prominently, with participants cautioned against entering sensitive or confidential information into free, consumer-facing AI platforms and urged to independently verify AI-generated information and images before publication.
The facilitators further warned participants about AI hallucinations, deepfakes, manipulated images and other forms of misleading content, stressing that journalists and CSOs had a responsibility to ensure accuracy and accountability because of their role in informing the public and shaping understanding of critical issues.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade