The 7th International Symposium on West African Studies (ISWAS) opened on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) with a mission that goes beyond the typical academic debate.
In a series of high-level deliberations, diplomats and academics laid out a concrete roadmap for how artificial intelligence (AI) must move from a buzzword to a driver of equity, empowerment and resilience across the West African region.
The symposium on Sustainable Economic and Social Development in West Africa: AI Empowerment and Innovation is a tripartite collaboration between the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), GIMPA, and the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
HE Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, who gave the keynote speech on bridging diplomacy and hard economics, said the value of AI lies in its application to Ghana’s real economy. He called on delegates to envision a near future in which digital infrastructure fundamentally transforms national output.
“Let’s imagine: What would happen if AI technology was widely applied to Tema Port, cassava and cocoa cultivation, and the construction of the Volta Economic Corridor?” asked Ambassador Tong. “We believe it will greatly increase production efficiency and economic development in Ghana.”
His Excellency Tong Defa framed these proposals in the broader context of the recently held FOCAC Summit in Beijing and the upcoming China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
He pledged China’s efforts to help bridge the digital divide in developing countries and ensure West Africa has a clear voice and representation in the global governance of AI.
Welcoming the delegates at the opening ceremony, GIMPA President Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu recalled the first ISWAS held at UCC in 2017 and the subsequent smart city themed event at UESTC in China.
He emphasized that the partnership between GIMPA and UESTC goes beyond academic exchange to become a bond of cultural integration.
“Artificial intelligence has great potential for the West African region and is expected to be a key driver in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We also hope that this seminar will foster further capacity building and cooperation, inspire deep reflection and action, and drive greater positive impact for our institutions, countries and the entire West African region.”
Speaking on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Rosemond Buen, former Vice-Chancellor of UCC, cautioned against the implementation of technology solely for the purpose of speed. He also stressed that the demographic dividend of West Africa’s youth must be equipped with advanced digital skills if the region is to overcome challenges such as climate change vulnerability and educational inequality.
“As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, governance and social systems, West Africa must position itself not just as a participant but as a leader. This symposium provides a unique platform to explore how AI can be leveraged not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a catalyst for equity, empowerment and resilience.”
Professor Shurong Zhao, Director of the UESTC West African Research Center, outlined the rigorous academic agenda of the symposium. He pointed out that the 7th International Symposium on West African Studies generated many new ideas and innovative techniques, which can also be applied to different societies based on political and historical contexts.
In her keynote address, she outlined the results of an influential research study that pointed out some risks and ways to address them in e-business cooperation between China and West Africa.
In her keynote address, Professor Nora-Ann Colton, Director of the Global Business School for Health at University College London, highlighted the role of AI in addressing the range of challenges faced by healthcare professionals in the UK, and how it can be applied to tackle similar challenges in West Africa.
On how AI can be used to improve productivity and efficiency in the public sector, Ingr., Head of Local Government Services, said: Dr Nana Ato Arthur called for stronger AI policy governance and regulation to ensure the ethical use and application of AI in all areas of public services.
In her presentation, Professor Rosemond Buen lamented the lack of artificial intelligence in the West African region. According to her, the future of West African studies is not one that resists technology, but the problem lies in the lack of West African context in the AI field. She also called for further support to build an AI ecosystem among West Africans.
After the plenary session, the symposium transitioned into six parallel expert seminars, attended by more than 65 academics and practitioners who moved the dialogue from policy to practice. These technical sessions explored key intersections of AI empowerment themes, from the application of big data analytics in public administration, national security, and social governance to digital preservation strategies for West Africa’s cultural heritage.
The 7th International Symposium on West African Studies (ISWAS) symposium is organized with the strategic support of the Ghana-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Center for West African Studies (CEWAS). The West African Studies Center of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CWAS of UESTC) was established at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), the University of Ghana (UG), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the Arkenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Development (AAMUSTED-UEW), and the University of Development Studies (UDS) in April 2017.
The symposium is also co-sponsored by Global Africa, whose involvement highlights the important role of private sector investment in building digital capacity.
The 8th ISWAS will be held as part of the China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year in 2026, so it promises to be even bigger in scale.
