jasdooit

By Benjamin Akoto

Sunyani (Bono), Aug. 21, GNA – Professor Akbar Saeed, an Associate Professor in Information Systems at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, has called on Ghanaian tech companies to create software that meets local needs. However, he emphasized the importance of being aware of current social prejudices.

Professor Saeed offered his guidance during media interactions on the margins of the Second edition of the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Health Innovation for Sustainable Development (STHISD 2025), organized by the School of Sciences at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani.

He stated that software created by Western nations often showcased the cultural background and algorithmic prejudices of its developers, which may not always correspond to the situations in developing countries such as Ghana.

The event focused on the topic “Promoting sustainable futures via environment, health, ICT, and food security: The contribution of emerging scientists,” with the goal of encouraging the sharing of knowledge between specialists, professionals, decision-makers, and young researchers.

It also aimed to tackle linked global issues while supporting up-and-coming scientists by acknowledging their innovation, perseverance, and ability to promote lasting development.

Professor Saeed warned: “if biased algorithms are not detected and corrected, they may be repeated in local systems, leading to inconsistencies and unjust results” and highlighted the importance of local developers grasping and reducing biases by creating software that represented Ghana’s distinct social and cultural environment.

He mentioned that, beyond development, significant focus should be placed on post-implementation analysis to identify any discriminations or biases that could arise, stating that this would allow developers to improve software to foster fairness and more effectively meet the varied requirements of society.

Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, the Vice-Chancellor of UENR stated that climate change is no longer something to be worried about in the future, but rather a current situation, changing shorelines, modifying rain patterns, and affecting ways of life.

He noted that healthcare systems, already burdened by inequality and insufficient funding, now encountered increased difficulties from ongoing illnesses and new global health crises.

Professor Asare-Bediako emphasized that information and communication technology, which was once seen as a luxury, is now crucial, facilitating connection, creativity, and enhancing access to education, health care, and

governance.

He voiced concern that food security continues to be unstable in numerous areas, facing challenges from environmental disruptions, economic volatility, and insufficient policies.

Professor Asare-Bediako highlighted that the challenges were closely linked, stating that a deteriorated environment undermines food systems, leads to unstable food supplies, and impacts health. However, when used effectively, ICT could serve as a strong instrument for building resilience and promoting fairness.

He stated that science should act as the basis for dealing with these complicated matters, emphasizing that no one institution, field, or nation could handle challenges by itself, and advocating for strong cooperation.

Professor Asare-Bediako also advocated for enhanced collaborations among academia and industry, research and policy, and science and society, and called on involved parties to dedicate themselves to converting knowledge into action, research into policy, and innovation into tangible outcomes.

GNA

Edited by Dennis Peprah/Kenneth Odeng Adade