Ghana’s emerging artificial intelligence ecosystem received a major boost at the Ghana AI Summit and Awards 2026, where local innovators showcased AI-powered solutions addressing some of the country’s most pressing development challenges.
Omaya Care emerged as the winner of the maiden Ghana AI Innovation Challenge, taking home the top prize of GH¢25,000 for its artificial intelligence-powered maternal healthcare platform.
Organised as part of the Ghana AI Summit and Awards 2026 in partnership with the Ghana AI Research Network (GAIN) and Meta, the competition attracted more than 100 applications from teams developing AI solutions tailored to Ghanaian realities.
The winning platform focuses on reducing maternal deaths by improving the detection of postpartum complications, particularly among women who receive limited follow-up care after leaving health facilities.
Omaya Care uses AI-driven voice technology to assess mothers’ health through ordinary phone calls, identify potential warning signs in real time, and alert healthcare providers when urgent intervention is required.
A key feature of the platform is its accessibility. It operates through basic mobile phone networks and WhatsApp, allowing mothers in low-resource and underserved communities to access AI-supported healthcare without smartphones or internet data.
After a rigorous screening process, 12 teams were selected for the final stage of the competition, where they presented solutions spanning healthcare, agriculture, financial inclusion, public services and communication technologies.
Omaya Care was named the overall winner, while Husker AI and SignLink received Certificates of Commendation for the impact and innovation of their AI solutions.
The competition was judged by a panel of technology, academia and public sector experts, including Professor Isaac Wiafe of the University of Ghana, officials from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, and industry leaders from Google Data Cloud and Npontu Technologies.
Speaking at the event, Prof Wiafe said the challenge demonstrated that Ghanaian innovators were increasingly developing AI solutions rooted in local datasets and designed to solve national problems.
“The Ghana AI Challenge shows that our young developers and innovators are not merely observing the digital revolution; they are actively shaping it with Ghanaian-based solutions designed for Ghana’s unique needs and values,” he said.
The Ghana AI Summit and Awards 2026 was organised by Knowledge Innovations to promote AI research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Ghana.
