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Record STMT-WDBA4F7Aspirational

Insights on Public Policies to Ensure AI’s Beneficial Use as a Professional Tool

INSIGHTS ON PUBLIC POLICIES TO ENSURE AI’S BENEFICIAL USE AS A PROFESSIONAL TOOL

Report State lawSub-Saharan Africa · GHin force

This report provides an overview of public policies, legal frameworks, and practical uses of artificial intelligence in Ghana, with a specific focus on the legal services sector. It highlights that Ghana currently lacks a comprehensive statutory definition or overarching regulatory framework specifically for AI. However, existing laws such as the Data Protection Act 2012 and the Copyright Act 2005 intersect with AI development, particularly concerning data privacy and intellectual property.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

International Bar AssociationProfessional
Publisher
Legal forceAspirational
Under whose authorityState law
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentRegulatorsProfessional groupResearchers and academics

Legal professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, data privacy, and legal practice in Ghana.

Sectors
Justice · legal servicesCross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers the state of artificial intelligence understanding, current regulatory approaches, data access and privacy laws, intellectual property intersections, and the adoption of AI within legal services in Ghana.

What's missing

There are no specific AI governance regulations, dedicated court rulings on AI in legal services, or binding ethical codes for AI issued by the national bar association.

Key takeaways
  • Ghana currently has no statutory definition or comprehensive legal framework specifically dedicated to artificial intelligence.
  • There are no known AI tools actively used in the legal services sector in Ghana, though some large firms use basic case management software.
  • Data protection laws, notably the Data Protection Act 2012, require strict adherence to privacy and user consent when processing personal data that might feed AI systems.
  • The Copyright Act 2005 protects computer programs and software, indirectly supporting AI technologies.
  • The Ghana Bar Association has not yet made formal inputs or rules regarding AI in the legal profession.
Outline
· 1. What is the understanding or definition of AI in your jurisdiction?
· 2. In your jurisdiction, besides legal tech tools (ie, law firm or claim management, data platforms etc), are there already actual AI tools or use cases in practice for legal services?
· 3. What is the current or planned regulatory approach on AI in general?
· 4. Which are the current or planned regulations on the general use of AI or machine learning systems?
· 5. Is free data access an issue in relation with AI?
· 6. Are there already actual court decisions on the provision of legal services using AI or decisions concerning other sectors that might be applicable to the use of AI in the provision of legal services?
· 7. What is the current status – planned, discussed or implemented - of the sectorial legislation in your jurisdiction on the use of AI in the legal profession or services that are traditionally being rendered by lawyers?
· 8. What is the role of the national bar organisations or other official professional institutions?
IssuedSeptember 2021
Length1,941 words · 5 pages
FormatNot recorded
Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

0/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

3

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

0/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

6

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

In Ghana, there is a constitutional right to the protection of a person’s privacy.174 A person’s data cannot therefore be taken and used for any purpose without that person’s consent.

4

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

8

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

3

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

0/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

3

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence data_protection legal_services intellectual_property regulation