Telecel Ghana has argued that the country’s digital future depends on building the infrastructure, partnerships and ethical standards needed to use data and artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly.

Over the three-day Ghana Data Science Summit held at the Ho Technical University, a delegation of experts from the telecommunications company contributed to national conversations on artificial intelligence, data governance and workforce development through executive panel discussions, technical workshops, career mentorship sessions and practical demonstrations of emerging digital solutions.

Opening the discussions, Danso Kwakye, Head of Enterprise Solutions at Telecel Ghana, spoke on a panel that examined whether limited access to data is slowing innovation and evidence-based policymaking.

Acknowledging researchers’ growing demand for telecommunications data, Kwakye stressed that customer privacy must remain non-negotiable.

“Telecommunications companies hold some of the richest datasets in the country, but customer trust is built on protecting sensitive information. The opportunity lies in responsibly sharing anonymized and aggregated data that can support research, innovation and public policy without compromising individual privacy,” he added.

Kwakye argued that stronger partnerships between industry, universities and public institutions could create significant value for Ghana’s innovation ecosystem, particularly when supported by investment in digital infrastructure and secure sandbox environments where students and researchers can experiment with real-world data applications.

Telecel Ghana’s team also participated in tutorials covering data engineering with Python, synthetic data generation for economic policymaking and production-scale machine learning systems.

The sessions allowed the telco’s specialists to exchange knowledge with researchers and explore emerging techniques shaping modern data science.

Leading one of the summit’s career mentorship sessions, Asiedu Ansu, Head of the Data Analytics Centre of Excellence at Telecel Ghana, encouraged aspiring data professionals to look beyond algorithms and programming languages.

“The most successful data professionals are those who continuously learn, understand business problems and communicate insights that drive decisions. Technical skills open the door, but translating data into meaningful business value is what builds lasting careers,” Ansu said.

As conversations around artificial intelligence continue to grow, Telecel Ghana also highlighted the importance of ethical considerations through an interactive workshop on data ethics and algorithmic bias.

The session, facilitated by Senior Data Analyst Esumaba Okyir, alongside Management Information Systems & Data Science Manager Raymond Normeshie and Marie-Pearl Akoto, examined how bias enters AI systems and explored practical approaches for building fairer, more transparent and accountable technologies.

The workshop emphasised that ethical design is essential to building public confidence in emerging technologies.

The summit also addressed another pressing issue facing Ghana’s digital economy: whether the country’s education system is producing graduates with the skills employers need.

Speaking during a panel on employment opportunities in data science, Maxwell Darko, HR Manager for Talent Acquisition, Rewards & Shared Services at Telecel Ghana, said employers increasingly value professionals who combine analytical expertise with commercial awareness and effective communication.

“Technical competence remains essential, but employers are increasingly looking for people who can translate data into business outcomes, think critically and communicate effectively. It is also important that AI is viewed as a productivity partner that enhances human capability, not as a replacement for talent,” he said.

Darko called for deeper collaboration between universities and industry through internships, practical projects and curricula that better reflect workplace realities.

He also encouraged graduates to demonstrate measurable impact and achievements on their CVs rather than simply listing qualifications.

Beyond the discussions, Telecel Ghana showcased its consumer digital innovations, including the Telecel Play App, engaging attendees through an exhibition that promoted connectivity solutions and registered new subscribers.

This year’s Ghana Data Science Summit, held in the Volta Regional capital under the theme “Data First: Unlocking Ethical and Inclusive AI in Ghana,” brought together hundreds of participants from academia, government, industry, development organisations and the technology ecosystem.

The summit provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge innovations and shape Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.