Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, EMIs Chamber Pledge Support to NIA in Advancing Ghana’s Digital Agenda

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The leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana have pledged their unwavering support to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to help it carry out its mandate of advancing Ghana’s digital transformation. This commitment was made during a high-level courtesy call on the NIA’s leadership in Accra on February 11, 2025.

The meeting, which brought together members of the two Chambers (led by Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey) and the management of the NIA (led by its new Acting Executive Secretary Mr. Wisdom Yayra Koku Deku), focused on strengthening collaboration with the NIA to foster seamless digital identity verification, enhance data protection, and drive down the cost of verification services for businesses and consumers alike.

Key Issues Discussed

One of the key issues discussed was the need for enhanced collaboration between the members of the two Chambers and the NIA. Ing. Dr. Ashigbey, pledged the support of the GCT and the EMIs Chamber to the NIA, in enriching and sanitising its database, a move aimed at enhancing data accuracy and combating fraud across sectors.

Concerns Over Verification Fees

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the cost of verification services. The NIA outlined a tiered fee structure designed to reduce costs for large-scale users such as telecom companies and EMIs. However, concerns were raised about the affordability of these services for fintech startups and small businesses. To address this, suggestions were made to review micro-pricing models before the revised legislation is laid before Parliament. The leadership of both chambers offered to assist the NIA in finding a balance that ensures cost-effectiveness without compromising data security.

Commitment to Data Security and Fraud Prevention

The NIA reaffirmed its commitment to data privacy and security, revealing ongoing collaborations with the Data Protection Commission.

Technical Collaboration and Next Steps

All parties agreed to maintain open channels for technical discussions and feedback to support the work of the NIA. Regular technical meetings will also be scheduled to ensure continuous system improvements and to address emerging challenges.

The meeting underscored the critical importance that the leadership of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) and the Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) Chamber of Ghana, place on the role of the NIA in Ghana’s digital transformation and the importance of collaboration with stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital financial sectors.

Source: Chamber News Desk

The AI Revolution: Separating Fact from Fiction

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Author: Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey

One of the lessons I learned in my MA IT Law class, taught by one of the outstanding AI academics, Kwaku Boadu, was separating the hype of artificial intelligence (AI) from reality and what we need to do with AI; it is like any software in our quest to develop. Yes, we do not have to dismiss it; we need to focus on the mathematics that underlines the software and ensure that we get our young ones properly trained to develop our AI and AI strategies to help solve our unique challenges as part of the arsenals we need.


As AI continues transforming industries and revolutionizing how we live and work, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. The AI hype has been building for years, with proponents hailing it as the solution to humanity’s most pressing problems. However, as the dust settles, it’s becoming clear that the reality of AI is more nuanced. Yet, this nuanced reality also holds the potential for AI to make significant positive changes in our world.


The Rise of Large Language Models
Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Bard, Gemini, and, more recently, DeepSeek are emerging as the most tangible and widely applicable AI technologies. These models combine existing knowledge from the Internet, using probability math to generate the most probable answer to a prompt. While LLMs have the potential to revolutionise industries such as education, healthcare, and customer service, they also have limitations.


The Hallucination Problem
One of the significant limitations of LLMs is their tendency to “hallucinate” answers. This means they can provide inaccurate or nonexistent answers. The implications of this are far-reaching. As LLMs become more pervasive, there’s a risk that we’ll rely increasingly on these models for answers rather than engaging in rigorous research, argumentation, and reasoning.


The Consequences of Over-Reliance on AI
The consequences of over-reliance on AI are already being felt. As we rely more heavily on LLMs for answers, we risk losing critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate information critically. This could lead to a new normal of ‘hallucinated truths’ in academia, industry, and social settings. We risk our youth believing the lie that AI would do all the thinking for them so they do not have to think any more. This significant risk could further widen the digital divide and, by extension, the developmental gap between the so-called developing world and the developed world, which now comprises the West and East. It’s crucial that we recognize this risk and take responsibility for maintaining our critical thinking skills, ensuring that AI serves us rather than the other way around.


The AI Hype: A Cautionary Tale
The AI hype has created a market where any programmer can label their code as “AI” to command a higher price. This has resulted in a proliferation of AI-branded products, from mundane tasks to critical applications. However, not all AI is created equal. It’s essential to approach AI critically and nuancedly, recognising its potential benefits and limitations.


A New Era of AI Development
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that genuine AI will be free from the shackles of hype. The Chinese approach to AI development, which focuses on practical applications and rejects the hype, is a model worth emulating. By taking a more pragmatic approach to AI development, we can create more cost-effective and efficient AI solutions that benefit humanity. This approach should reassure us that AI can be a force for good when developed and used responsibly.


Conclusion
As we navigate the AI revolution, it’s crucial to separate fact from fiction. By recognizing the limitations of LLMs and approaching AI with a critical and nuanced perspective, we can unlock AI’s true potential and create a future where technology serves humanity rather than vice versa.