By Mavis Paintsil, Accra
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (CSIR-INSTI) put artificial intelligence in the spotlight during its Open Day event this week, unveiling a suite of home-grown innovations designed to tackle malaria and crop diseases with greater speed and accuracy.
Among the standout tools was an AI-powered malaria diagnosis application that turns an ordinary smartphone into a diagnostic lab.
By attaching a microscope adapter to a phone’s camera, health workers can capture images of blood samples and let the app’s AI algorithm identify malaria parasites, determine their stage, and count parasite load within minutes.
The technology is aimed at rural clinics where access to skilled microscopists and reliable power remains a challenge.
On the agriculture front, CSIR-INSTI showcased SporeSmart, a device-and-app combo that captures fungal spores from farm environments and uses AI to forecast disease outbreaks before they devastate crops.
Researchers say the system is especially critical for managing Fusarium, a soil-borne fungus that threatens staples like maize, rice, and tomato.
Early detection, they argue, will help farmers cut losses, reduce indiscriminate pesticide use, and lower production costs.
The Open Day also featured digital platforms built to support farmers year-round: a Cropping Calendar for location-specific planting guidance, an Extension Portal linking experts to farmers, the Kuafo Marketplace for agricultural trade, and an Agritech Mobile Advisor for on-demand farming tips.
CSIR-INSTI Director Dr. Paul Asante Danquah said the innovations were developed to “improve efficiency, reduce human error, and enhance productivity” across sectors vital to Ghana’s economy.
He added that the institute will seek partnerships to scale the tools for nationwide use through mobile and web platforms.
The push comes as experts point to AI’s growing role in African public health.
AI-assisted diagnostic tools have already improved detection rates for diseases like tuberculosis by 10-20% in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With Ghana’s dual burden of endemic malaria and climate-sensitive crop diseases, researchers see AI as a practical bridge between advanced science and frontline needs.
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