Story by Eugene Nyarko Jnr. l Accra l March 28, 2026
Technology policy advocate Kambale Musavuli has called for greater inclusion and ownership of women in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) space, stressing that while women contribute significantly to global innovation, they remain largely excluded from controlling the digital infrastructure that powers it.
Speaking during a media interaction at the second edition of the Beyond AI Movement Workshop held at the Accra Digital Centre on Saturday, Mr. Musavuli highlighted the theme, “Women Hold Up Half the Sky – But Who Owns the Cloud,” as a reflection of persistent inequalities in the technology ecosystem.
He explained that the popular phrase “women hold up half the sky,” widely used in gender empowerment discourse, underscores the vital contributions of women to society. However, he questioned whether women, particularly in Ghana and across Africa, have any meaningful ownership or control in the AI and digital economy.
Drawing parallels with Ghana’s independence history, Mr. Musavuli noted that while figures like Kwame Nkrumah are often celebrated, the contributions of women remain underrepresented. He stressed that women played critical roles in Ghana’s independence struggle and should similarly not be sidelined in the digital revolution.
“In today’s AI-driven world, women are contributing, but the infrastructure—the ‘cloud’—is owned by a few large corporations,” he said, citing global platforms such as Google and Facebook as examples of entities that control vast amounts of user data and generate profits without adequate representation from African women.
The workshop featured an all-female panel, a deliberate decision aimed at amplifying women’s voices in technology discussions, which are often dominated by men. Panelists, including Fayida Bede and other contributors, shared insights on the risks and opportunities within the AI landscape, urging participants to challenge societal inequalities and advocate for inclusive digital policies.
Mr. Musavuli further expressed concern about the limited public awareness regarding the value of data. He noted that many citizens unknowingly give away personal information, which is then monetised by corporations through targeted advertising and other means.
“Data is gold. It is the raw material powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he emphasized, urging Ghanaians to take control of their data as a first step toward achieving digital and data sovereignty.
He added that while Ghana may not immediately control all digital infrastructure such as data centres and fibre-optic networks, there must be a deliberate, long-term strategy to build national capacity and ensure that technology benefits citizens.
On participation, Mr. Musavuli acknowledged that attendance by women at the event was lower than expected, attributing it partly to the numerous activities held during International Women’s Month. Nonetheless, he praised the quality of discussions and the strong representation of young people.
He expressed optimism about the future, noting that increased youth engagement signals a growing interest in shaping how AI will be implemented in Ghana.
“The visibility of young people gives hope that the next generation wants to be part of the conversation and influence the direction of AI development in the country,” he said.
Mr. Musavuli reaffirmed the Beyond AI Movement’s commitment to expanding conversations on AI across Ghana and Africa, engaging both experts and ordinary citizens to ensure inclusive and people-centred technological advancement.
