Ghana cannot afford to miss the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), the Country Director of Zipline Ghana, Daniel Kwaku Merk, has warned, saying the consequences of falling behind could last for decades or even centuries.
He said technological disruption should not be viewed only as a threat to jobs, businesses and established ways of working but also as an opportunity to unlock possibilities that may not be immediately apparent.
Speaking at the JoyNews Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy on Wednesday, October 21, Mr Merk said experience with emerging technologies had shown that their full potential often became clear only after they were put to use.
“If I take a step back and I look at disruption versus opportunity, I think disruption in itself is an opportunity, and that’s what we definitely have experienced,” he said.
He explained that technological advances could deliver results beyond what people initially imagined, making it important for countries and businesses to explore their potential rather than be deterred by uncertainty.
“Things are possible in terms of technology delivery; you can’t anticipate the outcome until you actually do it. So there’s far more possible that you can envision initially,” he said.
A window Ghana must seize
Mr Merk said the pace of technological change made it imperative for Ghana to position itself to benefit from AI, warning that the country could face long-term consequences if it failed to take advantage of the emerging opportunities.
“But I would also like to add that, for me, the way I see it, it is an opportunity that we cannot miss. I think it’s like one of those technologies that, if we miss the train, will last for decades, if not centuries,” he said.
His comments come amid growing debate about how AI could reshape economies, change workplace practices and transform the delivery of services across sectors.
For Ghana, the challenge is not simply to adopt new technologies but to identify where they can solve practical problems, improve productivity and support economic development.
That will require investment in digital infrastructure, relevant skills and innovation, alongside efforts to ensure businesses, workers and public institutions are equipped to adapt as AI becomes more widely used.
Turning promise into practical gains
Mr Merk’s remarks placed emphasis on the need to experiment with new technologies to understand what they can achieve. The benefits, he suggested, may be greater than initially expected.
Zipline, which uses autonomous aircraft to deliver medical supplies, offers an example of how technology can be applied to practical service-delivery challenges. Its operations in Ghana have focused on getting essential medical products to health facilities, including those in hard-to-reach communities.
The wider AI debate raises similar questions about how emerging technologies can be used to improve public services, support businesses and expand access to opportunities.
However, turning technological promise into lasting economic gains will depend on how effectively Ghana prepares its workforce, develops local expertise and creates an environment in which innovation can flourish.