Ghanaian technology policy specialist and economic researcher, Mawuli Dzodzome Agbenorto, has called on Ghana's lawmakers to take immediate action to protect the country's workforce from the negative impacts of technological advancements. In a recent article, Agbenorto highlighted the need for a legislative blueprint to address the "AI Layoff Trap" and other risks associated with Ghana's digital expansion. He emphasized that human displacement is a choice shaped by public policy and that lawmakers must act now to ensure that Ghana's digital future serves its people.
Agbenorto proposed a four-point policy framework to align Ghana's national strategy with local workforce realities. The first point is to modernize labour legislation, specifically the Labour Act (Act 651), to explicitly define "Algorithmic and Technological Displacement." This would require corporate employers above a certain threshold to maintain transparent reporting on AI integration, provide advance notice of workforce restructuring, and contribute to a co-financed national retraining fund for displaced workers.
The second point is to provide statutory backing for the proposed GH¢5 billion National AI Fund. Agbenorto suggested that a fixed percentage of existing digital communications levies should be statutorily earmarked to capitalize this fund, guaranteeing predictable local venture capital for Ghanaian AI startups building sovereign, locally hosted solutions. This would help to promote the development of local technology and reduce reliance on foreign solutions.
Agbenorto also emphasized the need to elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to true strategic parity. He suggested that the Ministry of Education should rebalance funding away from basic software coding and toward advanced TVET programs. This would equip young Ghanaians with non-automatable, physical skill sets, such as industrial electrical engineering, renewable energy grid maintenance, and specialized mechanics.
The fourth point is to incentivize human-AI hybrid retention. Agbenorto recommended that the Ministry of Finance introduce tax credits for enterprises that demonstrate structured human-AI hybrid workflows, retaining junior talent and investing in internal mentorship programs rather than executing immediate workforce cuts to maximize short-term margins. This would encourage companies to adopt a more balanced approach to automation and workforce management.
Agbenorto emphasized that Ghana stands at a critical junction and that lawmakers must act now to ensure that the country's digital future serves its people. He warned that if Ghana fails to take proactive steps, it risks eroding its tax base and widening graduate unemployment. The ultimate measure of Ghana's digital transformation, he argued, will not be found in broad GDP projections alone but in whether its policies build a stable, resilient economy where Ghanaian workers are empowered to direct technology.
The writer, Mawuli Dzodzome Agbenorto, is a Public Servant & IT Consultant with a focus on digital transformation, labor market shifts, and emerging technology governance across sub-Saharan Africa. His article is part of a series examining the implications of Ghana's digital expansion and the need for a legislative blueprint to protect the country's workforce.
Key points
- Lawmakers urged to modernize labour legislation to protect workforce from AI layoffs
- Proposed GH¢5 billion National AI Fund should have statutory backing
- TVET programs should be given more funding to equip young Ghanaians with non-automatable skills
