New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called for laws and regulations to protect workers from potential job losses as businesses increasingly adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation.
He acknowledged that AI could improve productivity, efficiency and service delivery but warned that its rapid development could threaten jobs and the financial security of workers if appropriate safeguards were not put in place.
Dr Bawumia made the remarks during an engagement with the Trades Union Congress (TUC), where discussions focused on labour issues, economic transformation and the future of work.
Describing AI as a “frightening prospect” for workers, he noted that machines and software applications were increasingly capable of performing tasks traditionally carried out by humans.
He said businesses across the world were turning to automation to cut operational costs and improve productivity, raising concerns about the future of several occupations.
Dr Bawumia argued that Ghana must develop a national strategy to manage the impact of AI on employment and ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of workers’ livelihoods.
“Artificial Intelligence should be a tool to complement human labour and not a substitute for it,” he said.
He proposed collaboration among government, organised labour, employers and technology experts to develop laws that would protect workers while allowing businesses to benefit from innovation.
He also called for policies that would support retraining, reskilling and continuous education to prepare workers for the changing demands of the digital economy.
The former Vice President urged labour unions to take an active role in national discussions on AI, stressing the importance of giving workers a voice in decisions that could affect their jobs and future.
He further warned that Africa’s growing youth population could face increased unemployment if the adoption of new technologies outpaced investment in skills development and human capital.
Dr Bawumia said deliberate policies were needed to ensure that the benefits of AI were broadly shared rather than deepening existing economic and social inequalities.
He expressed confidence that with the right policies and legal protections, Ghana could embrace the opportunities presented by AI while safeguarding employment and the dignity of work.
