MTN Ghana has intensified efforts to promote responsible and evidence-based use of artificial intelligence (AI), training media practitioners and civil society organisations (CSOs) on how to harness emerging technologies without compromising accuracy, ethics and public trust.
The hands-on masterclass, held online on Monday, August 24, 2026, brought together newsroom leaders, journalists and CSO representatives to explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism, public-interest research, governance and accountability.
Held under the theme “AI for Media & Civil Society: From AI Curiosity to Evidence-Driven Confidence,” the programme focused on moving participants beyond experimentation with AI tools to developing workflows that combine technology with professional judgment and rigorous verification.
A major focus of the training was the growing role of AI in processing large volumes of information, particularly for journalists and civil society practitioners who routinely work with lengthy reports, financial documents, policy papers and public records.
Participants were introduced to ways AI can support investigative journalism by analysing public documents, extracting relevant information, identifying patterns and comparing figures across different periods.
The facilitators demonstrated how AI could be applied to documents such as Bank of Ghana monetary policy reports and national budget statements to identify key figures, calculate year-on-year changes and highlight developments that may require further investigation.
However, the training made clear that efficiency must not come at the expense of accuracy.
Participants were repeatedly reminded that AI-generated information should never be treated as automatically factual. Journalists and CSO practitioners were encouraged to return to original documents, verify figures and establish the context of information before using AI-assisted findings in publications or advocacy work.
The Senior Manager of Digital Analytics and Monetisation at MTN Ghana, Kwame Manu stated that AI could play a significant role in improving the quality of public discourse when used responsibly.
“AI should help us see further, decide better, and include more people,” he said.
He noted that media organisations and civil society groups had an important responsibility to use technology in ways that protect public confidence while supporting transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
The masterclass was facilitated by Samuel S. K. Adranyi, CEO of Afrilogic Solutions and Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), and Nehemia Yelu Attigah, CEO of HatuaTech and Board Chair of BudgIT Foundation.
AI and the future of newsroom verification
One of the key areas explored was the use of AI during breaking news situations.
Participants were taken through practical approaches to organising information from press releases, social media posts and statements issued by government institutions and other official agencies.
The facilitators cautioned that the speed of AI-assisted reporting should not encourage journalists to publish unverified information. Claims involving casualties, damage assessments, arrests and other sensitive developments must be independently confirmed before publication.
The training therefore promoted a newsroom model in which AI assists with speed and organisation while journalists remain responsible for verification, attribution and editorial decisions.
Turning speeches and public proceedings into usable information
AI-assisted transcription was another major component of the programme.
Participants explored how recordings from parliamentary proceedings, press conferences, public addresses and interviews could be converted into written transcripts and subsequently analysed to identify key policy commitments, statements and potential news angles.
The facilitators also demonstrated how AI tools could assist with transcription in local languages such as Twi and Ga.
They nevertheless warned that automated transcription can misinterpret local expressions, names, accents and cultural references, making human review essential before quotations are published.
Protecting sources and confidential information
The programme also placed strong emphasis on data protection, particularly as journalists increasingly upload documents, recordings and other materials to AI platforms.
Participants were encouraged to consider the potential consequences of uploading sensitive information, including confidential source material, personal data and legally sensitive documents.
They were advised to examine data-retention policies, understand who controls information uploaded to AI platforms and anonymise sensitive material where possible.
For particularly sensitive assignments, the facilitators recommended using dummy data during experimentation or keeping critical information offline where necessary.
AI as a tool, not a replacement for journalists
The training reinforced the principle that AI should support—not replace—professional judgment.
Participants were reminded that editorial decisions must remain under human control, including decisions on whether a story should be published, held for further verification or rejected altogether.
This was particularly emphasised in reporting involving minors, alleged offenders, victims, confidential sources and other vulnerable individuals.
During practical exercises, participants used AI-assisted methods to examine Auditor-General extracts, budget allocations and ministry statements in an effort to trace public funds and identify possible gaps between policy commitments and implementation.
The exercises demonstrated how AI can significantly reduce the time required to process large amounts of information while still requiring journalists and researchers to independently establish the facts.
The programme ultimately underscored a central message: the value of AI in journalism and civil society work lies not simply in what the technology can generate, but in how responsibly professionals verify, interpret and use its output.
For media practitioners and CSOs, the training highlighted the need to develop AI skills alongside stronger verification, data protection and ethical reporting practices as the technology becomes increasingly embedded in public-interest work.
MTN Ghana’s initiative forms part of broader efforts to equip professionals with the knowledge required to navigate the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies while safeguarding the principles of accuracy, accountability and public trust.
