Catholic journalists across Africa have been urged to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves humanity by promoting truth, dignity and peace, rather than becoming a tool that enslaves people.
The call was made by Mr. Charles Ayetan of Togo, who was elected President of the African Catholic Union of the Press (UCAP), at the closing of the 2025 UCAP Congress held in Accra.
The week-long gathering, brought together over 100 Catholic journalists and media practitioners from more than 20 African countries.
Mr. Ayetan said the rapid growth of AI technologies had created both opportunities and risks, noting that while AI could boost agriculture, water management, eco-innovation and renewable energy, it also posed dangers such as misinformation, fake identities and addictive platforms that threaten social cohesion.
“Artificial Intelligence must serve humanity, not enslave it. As Catholic journalists, our task is to ensure technology uplifts truth, dignity and peace,” he said.
The Congress, organised in collaboration with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) and the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners-Ghana (CAMP-G), also elected new executives to steer the affairs of UCAP for the next three years.
Other officers include Mr. Frank Mugabi of Uganda as First Vice-President, Mr. Aimé Rodrigue Dembélé of Mali as Second Vice-President, Ms. Martine Marie Sylvina Lajoie of Mauritius as Secretary General, and Mr. Franklin Anane Gyimah of Ghana as Treasurer.
The new leadership was blessed and commissioned by Rev. Fr. Alexis Dembélé, Ecclesiastical Advisor of UCAP, who reminded delegates that the media is “a sacred trust” and urged Catholic journalists to remain witnesses of truth and hope in the digital age.
Participants at the Congress called for ethical communication, media responsibility and stronger digital literacy campaigns to counter the misuse of AI.
They also appealed to African governments to invest in digital infrastructure and research to ensure inclusive development across the continent.
The gathering ended with a renewed commitment by Catholic communicators to remain guardians of truth and voices of the voiceless, ensuring that technology is used to serve the common good while safeguarding Africa’s Christian and cultural values.
Source: GNA
Source: ghanabusinessnews.com
