President John Dramani Mahama has called for ethical and inclusive global governance frameworks to regulate artificial intelligence and emerging digital systems, warning that rapid technological innovation is outpacing existing governance structures.

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, President Mahama said the world is entering a new era in which artificial intelligence, biotechnology and digital systems are redefining economies and societies, yet governance has not kept pace with innovation.

President Mahama highlighted Ghana’s steady progress in digital transformation, pointing to advances in mobile financial inclusion, national identification systems and ongoing e-governance reforms as evidence of the country’s commitment to building a digital economy.

He stressed, however, that the digital future must not become the exclusive preserve of a few advanced nations, cautioning that unequal access to technology could deepen global inequality.

“The digital future must not be the privilege of a few nations,” he said, adding that future global alliances must prioritise ethical governance of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity cooperation, technology transfer and inclusive digital capacity-building.

According to the President, innovation must be managed as a shared global good rather than a source of new divisions, calling for international collaboration to ensure that technological advancement benefits all societies.

President Mahama urged global leaders to adopt policies that promote fairness, accountability and inclusivity in the deployment of emerging technologies, as the world navigates an increasingly digital and interconnected future.