By Afua Kyemenu CAIQUO
Kwesi Nyametease, an accountant, no longer begins his day buried in files and calculators. Instead, he opens a laptop, clicks a few buttons and within minutes, software powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) has prepared financial summaries that once took him hours to prepare and compile.
As he sits at his desk, one question lingers in his mind and in workplaces across the country: Is AI here to revolutionize his workflow or to replace him entirely?
Understanding Artificial Intelligence in the workplace
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computational systems capable of performing tasks that traditionally require human cognitive abilities, including learning, pattern recognition, prediction, decision-making and natural language interaction. In organizational contexts, AI applications range from simple automation tools to advanced machine-learning systems capable of analysing large datasets and supporting strategic decisions.
A quiet AI revolution
From banks using chatbots to answer customer questions, to hospitals deploying AI tools to help analyze medical images, artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept but already at work in Ghana.
In agriculture, AI-powered mobile applications now help farmers predict weather patterns, identifying crop diseases and improving yields. The Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority have approved an AI-powered system to help customs operations at Tema Port to boost revenue, reduce human error and speed up processes like duty assessment and risk profiling. Even in Journalism, algorithms helps newsrooms track trending stories and analyze audience behavior.
The attraction is clear: AI boosts speed, accuracy and efficiency, allowing companies to do more with few resources.
In a nutshell, AI offers the following benefits:
Increased Efficiency and Speed: Tasks such as payment processing, data entry and basic financial reconciliation can be completed within seconds, giving freedom to employees to multitask.
Cost Savings: Automation reduces labour hours spent on repetitive tasks, minimizes errors and cuts operational costs enabling businesses to scale more sustainably.
Enhanced Customer Experience and Competitiveness: AI-enabled chatbots and virtual assistants offer 24/7 service, quick responses and tailored user experiences, thereby boosting customer satisfaction.
Innovation and Sector Expansion: Beyond finance and retail, AI is transforming sectors such as Agriculture, logistics and healthcare.
New Job Opportunities and Job Creation: AI is generating demand for new skills such as data analysis, AI-systems management, digital product development, which tend to open new career paths for young tech-savvy professionals and upgrade skills base of the workforce.
Beyond the hype: the real risks and challenges AI brings to today’s workforce
Secretaries and administrators tend to be worried about automated scheduling tools. Call center agents fear chatbots will take over customer service. Young graduates wonder if the jobs they trained for will still exist.
According to labour experts, the concern is not imaginary. AI is likely to replace certain routine jobs, particularly those involving data entry, basic accounting and repetitive administrative work.
“AI does not just eliminate jobs, it changes them”, according to a labour economist. “The real danger is not AI itself, but workers being unprepared for the new skills it demands.
Charting the path: building a responsible and inclusive AI future for Ghana
To maximize AI’s benefits while minimizing its risks, Ghana needs a deliberate and inclusive strategy. Key priorities include:
1. National Strategy and Regulatory Framework with established guidelines on Ethical AI use, data protection and fair deployment across sectors.
2. Investment in Digital Infrastructure and Data Systems which will improve internet connectivity and digital records to ensure a strengthened AI foundation.
3. Skills Development and Workforce Up skilling: Government, employers and educational institutions must collaborate to equip workers with digital skills, data literacy and AI system management capabilities to ensure workers complement AI rather than compete with it.
4. Responsible Business Adoption: Businesses must view AI as a tool to augment human capabilities, not merely to cut labour costs. The most powerful outcomes emerge when AI’s speed and precision combine with human creativity, judgment and empathy.
Conclusion: a fork in the road – evolution or displacement?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the nature of work in Ghana. While it brings powerful opportunities for efficiency, innovation and job creation, it also introduces legitimate concerns about displacement, readiness and ethics.
The question facing workers like Kwesi is not whether AI will change work, it already has. The real question is how Ghana will manage this transition to ensure that both businesses and workers benefit.
With responsible adoption, strong policy direction and investment in skills, AI can become a revolutionary force that strengthens, not replaces human potential in Ghana’s workforce. Ultimately, AI is not a destiny; it is a tool and how we choose to use it will shape whether it becomes a force for empowerment or disruption.
REFERENCES
Agbeduamenu C.O., “Building Ghana’s Financial Resilience with AI-powered risk models”, Citi Newsroom, March 16, 2023.
Boadu S. K., “How Artificial Intelligence is Redefining Business Operations in Accra”, Accra Tech Journal, November 23, 2025.
Business and Financial Times, “Corporate Ghana’s assessment of Artificial Intelligence low”, June 19, 2023.
Citi Newsroom, “AI, Automation – The secret weapons transforming customer experience in Ghana”, May 26, 2025.
International Trade Administration – Market Intelligence Reporting “Ghana Artificial Intelligence”, 11/25/2024
Afua Kyemenu Caiquo ( Ms.) is the Ag. Director of Business Development. She has about fourteen (14l) years working experience in management consulting and training with Management Development and Productivity Institute( MDPI). Contact: [email protected] OR [email protected]
The post Artificial Intelligence (AI) at work: Productivity transformation or workforce displacement? appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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