Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra l March 28, 2026
Technology policy advocate, Kambale Musavuli, has called for greater inclusion and ownership of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by women and Africans, stressing that although women “hold up half the sky,” they remain largely excluded from controlling the digital infrastructure that powers modern economies.
Speaking during a media interaction at the second edition of the Beyond AI Movement Workshop held at the Accra Digital Centre on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Mr. Musavuli said the theme, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky – But Who Owns the Cloud,” was deliberately chosen to highlight inequalities in the global digital ecosystem.
He explained that while women continue to play critical roles in society and development, their contributions in emerging technologies such as AI are often unrecognized and unsupported.
“Women hold up half the sky means their work must be acknowledged, but in today’s digital world, the ‘cloud’—which represents data and digital infrastructure—is owned by a few big corporations. African women, despite contributing, have little or no ownership in that space,” he stated.
Mr. Musavuli further noted that global technology companies controlling platforms such as email and social media are profiting from user data, while ordinary citizens remain largely unaware of the value of their personal information.
“I don’t think many people in Ghana or across Africa understand that data has value. Data is gold. It is the raw material powering artificial intelligence. If people understood this, they would demand greater accountability and control,” he added.
He emphasized the need for data sovereignty and digital independence, urging Ghana to begin a gradual process of building its own technological capacity, including data centres and infrastructure, to ensure that citizens benefit from the digital economy.
The workshop, which featured an all-female panel, was intentionally designed to amplify women’s voices in technology discussions, an area often dominated by men. According to Mr. Musavuli, the initiative demonstrated that women are capable of leading high-level conversations on AI, policy, and innovation.
Panelist Jennifer Moffatt, Country Director of BudgIT Ghana, challenged the notion of limiting women’s influence, questioning why women should “hold half the sky” instead of the whole.
She noted that ownership in the AI space is closely tied to funding, adding that many AI initiatives in Ghana are driven by donor support or personal investments rather than state funding.
“Who owns the cloud often comes down to who funds the work. If we are not investing in AI as a country, then ownership will remain external,” she said.
Ms. Moffatt also urged Africans to move beyond being mere consumers of technology and instead become creators and owners of digital solutions.
Moderator of the panel, Nana Akua Adepah Andoh, underscored the importance of empowering women to take active roles in technology development, noting that although women are present in the tech space, they largely do not own the systems they contribute to.
She admitted that attendance of women at the event could have been better but described it as a starting point for broader engagement and awareness.
“We use these technologies every day, but we don’t own them or the data behind them. It is important that we begin to claim space and ownership,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Kehinde Oyelade, Co-founder of HIBANE AI Consulting and a sponsor of the workshop, highlighted efforts to develop AI solutions tailored to African needs.
He said his organisation is working to bridge the gap in AI adoption by training professionals across various sectors and developing software applications to improve business operations.
Mr. Oyelade added that partnerships such as the Beyond AI Movement are crucial in democratizing access to AI knowledge and ensuring that everyday Africans can leverage technology for development.
The Beyond AI Movement Workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive conversations on artificial intelligence in Ghana, with a strong focus on empowering women and young people to actively participate in shaping the continent’s digital future.
