The hands-on capacity-building program convened senior officers from the Ghana Immigration Service alongside specialized units within the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Participating divisions included investigators from Interpol, Cybersecurity, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Financial Crime, and Legal units.

Designed and powered by brAInify—IGNITE’s proprietary AI-driven digital education platform—the workshop focused on practical, high-impact digital skills to assist officers in modernizing case management and command briefings:

• Applying prompt engineering and data structuring to manage high-volume case documentation.
• Tracing complex financial transaction trails across cross-border investigations.
• Detecting synthetic digital anomalies, including AI deepfakes, manipulated documents, and voice-cloning exploits.
• Developing clear, actionable intelligence briefs to support command-level decisions.

Facilitated by two international AI intelligence specialists from the United Arab Emirates, the workshop emphasized the responsible, secure integration of emerging tools into frontline procedures while upholding chain of custody and data integrity.

Opening the workshop, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi (Bola Ray), Global Advisory Board Member and Strategic Partner for Sub-Saharan Africa at IGNITE, emphasized the value of technology in modern public safety:

IGNITE and brAInify aim to equip security professionals with the tools to work more efficiently, extract actionable insights from data, and produce dependable investigative outputs. By minimizing the hours spent manually processing administrative data, personnel can focus their critical expertise on verification, deep analysis, and swift decision-making.”

Participating officers highlighted the timely relevance of the cybersecurity and AI curriculum to their day-to-day operations.

This training has been both timely and vital,” said Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Rachael Klomegah. “I am now properly equipped to spot critical anomalies and gaps in AI-generated text, imagery, and audio files—a capability essential for border and identity protection.”

Sergeant Salamata Sophiano of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) noted the immediate utility for active casework:

The applications demonstrated here directly impact our day-to-day work. I have open case files where the prompt engineering and data structuring tools learned today will immediately improve how we compile and submit intelligence reports. We welcome more sessions to continue building advanced proficiency.”

Highlighting IGNITE’s broader governance framework, Paul Yao Dovi, Regional Consultant for Sub-Saharan Africa, underscored the ethos behind the program:

Responsible technology adoption requires high standards of integrity, transparency, and regulatory alignment. Whether through community micro-entrepreneurship or public-sector capacity building, IGNITE remains committed to fostering digital literacy that is ethical, compliant, and transformative.”

All 50 participating officers received official certifications upon concluding the workshop. The initiative reflects IGNITE and brAInify’s ongoing regional mission to bridge digital divides and enhance technological capability across public safety, institutional governance, and enterprise sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, and Asia-Pacific.

‘Digital Commerce Labs’ to leverage TikTok’s track record powering small businesses globally with ICC’s extensive trade and business education to deliver a high-impact, digital commerce program for local businesses

TikTok and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) today announced the launch of the Digital Commerce Labs — a global program announced earlier this year and designed to unlock digital commerce opportunities for small businesses, in select markets across Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Businesses of all sizes thrive on TikTok and use the platform to reach new customers and build their brands. The initiative will leverage TikTok’s suite of digital commerce tools and reach combined with the ICC’s expertise on international trade, powerful network of national committees and chambers of commerce, to expand access to training, mentorship, and digital resources in Ghana.

Through this partnership which is also supported by Ghana Enterprises Agency, Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) and Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, TikTok and ICC will equip small businesses in Ghana with digital skills and tools to increase revenue opportunities, expand market access, and build long-term resilience. By connecting global expertise with local business communities, the Digital Commerce Labs will create a scalable education model that can be replicated across markets to help entrepreneurs translate digital knowledge into real-world growth opportunities. The program is designed to build long-term digital commerce ecosystems by working in close collaboration with national chambers and local organizations. The program will deliver learning and economic impact through three integrated components:

• Community building will form the foundation, bringing small businesses together through virtual and in-person sessions with relevant local ecosystem partners to foster peer learning and network development.
• Self-led online training modules hosted on a dedicated learning platform will offer participants flexibility and depth, featuring videos produced by local experts, interactive quizzes, and a certificate of completion.
• Virtual classrooms will provide instructor-led learning opportunities where entrepreneurs can engage directly with industry experts, ask questions in real time, and deepen their understanding of digital commerce tools and strategies.

“This partnership marks a powerful step forward in our mission to build a more inclusive, dynamic, and accessible global economy. By joining forces with TikTok to launch the Digital Commerce Labs, we are equipping entrepreneurs and small businesses across ten markets with the practical tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in the digital age. Ultimately, this initiative is about impact: unlocking opportunity, strengthening resilience, and ensuring that the benefits of digital commerce are shared more widely. “Together, we are helping shape a more inclusive future for businesses globally,” said ICC Ghana Secretary General, Emmanuel Doni-Kwame

“We’ve seen how small businesses can grow rapidly on TikTok by connecting with communities in authentic ways. This has reinforced the importance of educating small business owners on how they can go beyond visibility and actively support their long-term success. Our partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce is an important step in that direction, equipping entrepreneurs with the resources they need to scale and thrive” said Eric Ebenstein, Senior Director of Public Policy, TikTok.

The Digital Commerce Labs program will be active across 10 countries, supporting entrepreneurs through community programming, digital learning resources, and virtual training sessions.

Small businesses in Ghana are encouraged to sign up to stand a chance to be a part of the comprehensive training programme, designed specifically to help local entrepreneurs sharpen their skills and scale effectively.

Link to register: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/services-for-small-business-and-entrepreneurship/digital-commerce-labs/join-the-digital-commerce-labs-programme/?mtm_campaign=digital-commerce-labs&mtm_source=icc&mtm_medium=partner&mtm_content=en

ABOUT TIKTOK

TikTok is the global discovery platform for videos, live streaming, shopping, and more. TikTok’s mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. Over a billion people come to the platform each month to share what they love, learn new things, and find ideas that make everyday life more interesting. TikTok is headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore, with offices around the world. For more information, visit TikTok Africa Newsroom

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC)

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the institutional representative of more than 45 million companies in over 170 countries. ICC’s core mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Through a unique mix of advocacy, solutions and standard setting, we promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation, in addition to providing market-leading dispute resolution services. Our members include many of the world’s leading companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce.

The award follows the NCA’s invitation to operators to apply for spectrum licences in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands for the provision of 5G and mobile broadband. Each licence will run for 15 years.

This award marks an important milestone in our commitment to building the infrastructure that will transform Ghana’s digital landscape,” said Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana.

The 700 MHz band will allow MTN Ghana to expand quality connectivity deeper into communities across the country, while the 3 GHz spectrum provides the capacity to deliver truly high-speed 5G where demand is greatest.

Together, they allow us to serve more customers better, grow 5G mobility and bring reliable home internet to more Ghanaian households. We thank the National Communications Authority for this opportunity, and we look forward to deploying this spectrum to work for our customers,” he added.

In the 700 MHz band, MTN Ghana has been awarded two of the three available lots, giving it 2 x 20 MHz of spectrum for a licence fee of USD 100.9 million. In the 3 GHz band, the company secured all three available lots, a combined 150 MHz block, for USD 101.1 million. Together, the licences represent an investment of USD 202 million.

Once the licences are issued, MTN Ghana will deploy the new spectrum alongside its existing holdings to strengthen network capacity, improve service quality and deliver a better experience for customers across the country.

The spectrum will be central to growing 5G mobile services and to the company’s ambitions in home broadband.

The company will keep customers, shareholders and the market informed as it advances the rollout of the new spectrum and its high-speed 5G services.

More than 50 bloggers and digital content creators have participated in a forum organised by MTN Ghana to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, content creation, personal branding and opportunities within Ghana’s digital economy.

As part of MTN commitment to supporting Ghana’s digital transformation, MTN Ghana continues to create opportunities that equip content creators with the knowledge, tools and connections needed to thrive in the digital economy. Through initiatives such as this forum, the company is promoting digital skills development, responsible technology adoption and meaningful collaboration within Ghana’s growing creator ecosystem.

Welcoming participants to the forum, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer of MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, said the company valued its relationship with the blogging community and recognised the important role content creators play in informing and engaging the public.

She said the forum was intended to provide a platform for meaningful engagement with bloggers, enabling MTN Ghana to share industry insights, discuss trends shaping the digital landscape, and listen to the experiences and perspectives of content creators.

A key session at the forum focused on artificial intelligence and its practical applications in content creation.

Senior Manager for Digital Analytics and Monetisation at MTN Ghana, Kwame Manu, took participants through the development of AI and how creators could use the technology to support research, identify trends, generate ideas and improve their productivity.

He, however, cautioned participants to verify information produced by AI tools, stressing that such systems could sometimes provide inaccurate information. Manu also encouraged bloggers to retain their individual voice and judgement when using AI, while providing clear instructions and context when working with AI tools.

He further introduced participants to agentic AI and how emerging AI systems could perform a series of tasks with limited human intervention.

The discussion on content creation emphasised the importance of originality and authenticity, with participants encouraged to use technology to improve their work without losing their individual identity and perspective.

Senior Manager, MTN Home, Dorinda Bruce-Acquah, also spoke on opportunities in the changing world of work.

She encouraged bloggers to approach their platforms as businesses by identifying clear areas of focus, building loyal communities and continuously developing their skills. She also highlighted MTN Home’s Fibre and Fixed Wireless Access services as connectivity options for creators who work from home or require reliable internet for their activities.

The forum also featured a presentation by MobileMoney Fintech LTD’s Trade Marketing Coordinator, Isaac Agyenim Boateng, who introduced bloggers to opportunities available to creators through the MoMo app. Mr Boateng highlighted various offers and features on the MoMo platform that content creators could take advantage of and encouraged participants to explore the opportunities available on the app.

Fatawu Sanie Siba, Senior Digital Account Manager, at Innova DDB Ghana, engaged participants on protecting their social media accounts and platforms, as well as navigating relationships with corporate brands. He shared practical guidance on safeguarding digital accounts and creating content while maintaining professional relationships with organisations.

Reaffirming MTN Ghana’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, Ag. Senior Manager for Corporate Communications, Efua Falconer, assured members of the New Media Association of the company’s continued collaboration and support. In his remarks, President of the New Media Association of Ghana, Eugene Osafo-Nkansah, welcomed the initiative and encouraged bloggers to leverage the knowledge and perspectives shared during the forum to enhance their work.

As Ghana’s digital landscape continues to evolve, MTN Ghana remains committed to creating opportunities that enable individuals and communities to thrive. By investing in digital skills, knowledge-sharing and collaboration, the company is helping content creators unlock their potential and contribute to the country’s digital future. As MTN Ghana celebrates 30 years under the theme, “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You,” MTN continues to support initiatives that empower individuals and create shared value for communities and the broader economy.

For a journalist covering Ghana’s emerging nuclear power programme, a complicated technical report can arrive just hours before deadline.

It may contain unfamiliar terms, technical measurements, regulatory language and hundreds of pages of data. At the same time, an interview recording may need to be transcribed, an expert may need to be researched and a social media claim about radiation may already be spreading.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make much of this work faster. AI tool can summarise the report within seconds, explain difficult terms in simpler language and even suggest questions for an interview. For a busy journalist, the attraction is obvious.

But there is a catch.

The information may sound convincing and still be wrong.

That is particularly important in nuclear reporting, where a misplaced decimal, an incorrect unit or a misunderstood technical term can change the meaning of a story and potentially affect how members of the public respond to a situation.

Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, General Manager, External Communications- Electricity Company of Ghana, in his presentation on responsible AI in journalism at a virtual training workshop for journalists, stressed that nuclear journalism is also a form of public risk communication. He notes that concepts such as radiation exposure, contamination, activity and dose are different, and that small errors in language can change their meaning.

That is where AI can become both a useful newsroom assistant and a potential source of error.

A newsroom assistant, not a newsroom editor

AI has obvious benefits for journalists covering a technically demanding subject such as nuclear energy.

It can help a reporter become familiar with an unfamiliar subject before an interview. A long regulatory document can be reduced to a working brief. Several documents can be compared to identify changes, while large quantities of information can be organised into timelines and areas for further investigation.

It can also help prepare for interviews by suggesting questions and identifying areas where clarification may be needed. In reporting on the assessment of a potential nuclear site, for example, AI could help a journalist understand concepts such as seismic activity, flooding and other external hazards before speaking to a safety specialist.

The important word, however, is starting.

AI-generated information is not automatically a source. Large language models generate likely text rather than independently establishing whether something is true. The presentation therefore describes AI output as a “hypothesis, not a source” and says information generated by AI should be traced to a document, dataset or identifiable person before it enters published copy.

This distinction becomes particularly important when reporting radiation.

An AI system may produce a fluent explanation while confusing a unit, measurement or technical term. A transcription system could turn “becquerel” or “sievert” into an entirely different word. A decimal point or the difference between “micro” and “milli” could also be lost in transcription or editing.

Those errors may appear minor on a computer screen, but they can change the meaning of a nuclear safety story. Dr. Ayiku warns that every number, name, unit and direct quotation generated through AI transcription should be checked against the original audio before publication.

There is another danger: AI can make uncertainty disappear.

A scientist may tell a journalist that an issue is still being investigated. An AI-generated summary could turn that qualified statement into a simple assertion. Similarly, describing a situation as a “radiation leak” when the available evidence only shows an unusual monitoring reading could create an impression that has not been established.

From the training, it was clear that, accuracy in nuclear journalism therefore means more than getting a number right. It also means communicating risk proportionately and explaining what is known, what is uncertain and what remains to be established.

AI can also assist journalists in confronting misinformation. Synthetic images, cloned voices, fabricated quotations and forged official documents can make false nuclear claims appear credible. AI can help newsrooms monitor emerging narratives, examine patterns and identify claims requiring investigation. But detection tools themselves are not infallible; journalists still need to establish provenance and check the original source.

The same caution applies to confidential information.

Journalists should not paste identifying information about confidential sources, unpublished investigations, embargoed documents or security-sensitive nuclear information into public AI tools. Such information may include details concerning nuclear material, transportation or physical protection. Dr. Ayiku recommends newsroom AI policies, approved tools, anonymisation and redaction, with sensitive analysis kept offline where appropriate.

The final check belongs to the journalist

So what should a journalist do before publishing an AI-assisted nuclear story?

The process is straightforward: trace claims to named sources or primary evidence; examine uncertainty; read original documents rather than relying on AI summaries; check numbers, names, units and quotations; and ensure the final editorial judgement remains human.

The presentation captures the principle simply: “AI accelerates journalism. AI augments journalism. AI also amplifies error.”

As Ghana develops its nuclear power programme, journalists will increasingly have to explain complex science to ordinary people. AI can help them do that work faster.

But the responsibility for deciding whether a claim is true, fair, proportionate and safe to publish remains with the journalist.

In nuclear reporting, the final verification cannot be automated.

The nationwide innovation programme identifies, mentors and supports innovators to turn technology-driven ideas into practical, commercially viable solutions that address everyday challenges, expand financial access and strengthen Ghana’s digital economy.

Of the over 990 entries received, 56 per cent fall under Everyday Payments and Financial Access, the largest of the four innovation tracks. Business and Merchant Growth Tools accounts for 17 per cent, followed by Trust, Security and Digital Identity at 15 per cent, and Future of Finance and Connected Ecosystems at 12 per cent.

The entries span different stages of development: 374 submissions (37.8 per cent) are at the concept stage, 341 (34.4 per cent) are at the idea stage, 156 (15.8 per cent) are prototypes and 119 (12.0 per cent) are minimum viable products (MVPs). Regionally, Accra accounts for 63 per cent of entries, Kumasi 26 per cent and Tamale 11 per cent.

Commenting on the response, Shaibu Haruna, Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Fintech LTD, said, “The response so far is encouraging. Receiving nearly 1,000 submissions demonstrates the depth of Ghana’s innovative talent and the strong appetite to develop solutions to real-world challenges. We are particularly encouraged by ideas that seek to make payments and financial services more accessible, support businesses and merchants, and strengthen the wider digital economy. We invite more innovators to apply before the September 30 deadline and bring forward ideas with the potential to create meaningful impact.”

Following the application stage, selected applicants will take part in zonal bootcamps and hackathons in Tamale, Kumasi and Accra, where they will receive training and pitch their ideas to expert panels. Successful participants will then progress to a mentorship lab for further guidance and support to refine their solutions.

The programme will culminate in a National Demo Day, where finalists will showcase their solutions and compete for cash awards of up to GHS100,000, as well as digital devices and other support to advance their work.

Beyond the awards, selected participants will gain technical, leadership and commercialization skills, mentorship, industry exposure and access to networks designed to help them develop scalable, sustainable solutions.

Innovators can apply free of charge through the MoMo App before September 30 by following these steps:

• Download or open the MoMo App.
• Log in with your MoMo number and PIN.
• Select the MoMo Fintech Lab banner on the home page.
• Complete and submit the application form with your individual or team details.

Launched on August 12, the MoMo Fintech Lab identifies, mentors and supports innovators developing solutions that address everyday challenges and contributes to Ghana’s digital financial services ecosystem.

The programme is organised in partnership with the Bank of Ghana, with support from ecosystem partners including GCB Bank, Hubtel, appsNmobile, Zenith Bank, First National Bank, Blue Penguin, Korba, Fidelity Bank, Afrifanom (VaMiJo) and JUMO.

In line with this development, the Minister has proposed the establishment of a specialised Electric Vehicle (EV) Capacity Building Centre to train Ghanaian mechanics in the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles being sold on the Ghanaian market.

He said Ghana must begin preparing its technical workforce for the emerging EV industry by equipping mechanics with the specialised knowledge and skills required to diagnose, maintain and repair electric vehicles.

He stressed the need for a concerted national effort to define an appropriate space for the electric-vehicle industry in Ghana, including the development of the human capital required to support its growth.

China’s Electric Truck Revolution

China’s rapid development of electric vehicles is no longer limited to passenger cars.

One of the country’s most significant developments is the growing adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks, particularly in ports, mines, factories and short-haul freight operations.

The shift represents a major change in a sector that has traditionally depended heavily on diesel-powered trucks.

Recent industry data indicate that electric heavy trucks accounted for about 44 per cent of new heavy-truck sales in China in June 2026, although they still represented only about four per cent of the country’s total heavy-truck fleet.

New-energy heavy-truck sales have also been expanding rapidly particularly in the mining industry globally.

An opportunity, management of Longking company said, will push them to stay on top of the EV market.

Already, reports indicate that sales increased by about 45 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching approximately 44,000 units.

For Ghana, the Minister said development in the sector could be particularly relevant to the mining, haulage and logistics sectors, where heavy-duty vehicles play a critical role in moving minerals, equipment and other commodities.

Battery-swapping driving growth

One of the technologies helping China accelerate the adoption of electric heavy trucks is battery swapping.

Rather than keeping a truck stationary for hours while a large battery is recharged, the vehicle can drive into a specialised battery-swapping station, where an automated system removes the depleted battery and replaces it with a fully charged one.

The system can significantly reduce vehicle downtime, an important consideration for commercial operators whose trucks are expected to remain in service for long periods.

China’s enormous manufacturing capacity for lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles has also given its manufacturers access to advanced technologies and well-developed supply chains and Ghana has become one of the newest markets.

The capabilities of electric heavy trucks are also improving rapidly.

Newer Chinese models can travel hundreds of kilometres on a single charge, although actual range varies depending on factors such as payload, terrain, weather and driving conditions.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates the current average range of battery-electric trucks at around 300 kilometres, making short-haul operations one of the strongest early markets for the technology.

China’s approach, however, goes beyond manufacturing the vehicles.

The country is simultaneously developing the charging infrastructure, battery-swapping stations and supporting ecosystem required to make electric trucks commercially viable.

For Ghana, Armah-Kofi Buah says, growing Chinese experience presents an opportunity to learn from a rapidly developing EV market while preparing local mechanics, engineers and other technical professionals for the transition.