In a potential breakthrough with far-reaching implications, Israeli scientists have become the first in the world to successfully apply a blood cancer treatment to reverse Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in mice, according to a study published recently in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The research team, led by Prof. Eitan Okun and Dr. Adi Barzel at Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center, used CAR-T cell therapy — a technique originally developed to treat certain leukemias and lymphomas — to target and eliminate harmful brain cells associated with Alzheimer’s progression.

In the study, the team engineered T-cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically recognize CD38, a protein highly expressed on senescent (aging) microglia and astrocytes — the brain’s immune and support cells that become dysfunctional and inflammatory in Alzheimer’s.

When infused into genetically modified mice with Alzheimer’s-like pathology, the CAR-T cells selectively cleared these harmful cells, leading to:

• Significant reduction in amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles
• Decreased neuroinflammation
• Improved cognitive performance in memory and learning tests
• Restoration of synaptic function and neuronal health

Mice treated with the therapy showed no signs of severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome, which is sometimes observed in human cancer patients receiving CAR-T.

“This is the first time CAR-T has been used to treat a neurodegenerative disease,” Prof. Okun stated. “Our findings suggest that targeting senescent cells in the brain could open a completely new avenue for Alzheimer’s treatment.”

While the results are promising, the researchers stressed that the work is still in the preclinical stage.

Human trials will require extensive safety testing, dose optimization, and adaptation of the therapy to avoid potential neurotoxicity. The team is now collaborating with biotech partners to prepare for clinical development.

Alzheimer’s disease affects over 55 million people worldwide, with no cure and only limited symptomatic treatments available. If successfully translated to humans, CAR-T or similar cell therapies could represent a disease-modifying approach rather than merely symptom management.

MTN Ghana’s recent distinction as the top-performing operating company (OpCo) across the entire MTN Group reflects not only the company’s operational excellence but also signals a conducive business environment for digital and fintech growth in Ghana.

The accolade was announced at the MTN Global Leadership Gathering (GLG) 2026, where the telecommunications giant was awarded the 2025 Million Dollar Challenge prize — the highest honour within the multinational group.

MTN Ghana secured six major awards, including top marks in Connectivity for both enterprise and consumer segments and a standout Fintech award for its Mobile Money division, MoMo Ghana.

For many analysts, the win at the annual challenge reflects sustained momentum in Ghana’s digital economy — a trend driven by expanding mobile data use, financial inclusion services, and enterprise solutions that are increasingly critical to the country’s broader economic growth.

“Our teams have delivered across strategic platforms such as fintech, enterprise and consumer,” said MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett, noting that the recognition “is a powerful endorsement of the relentless commitment, creativity and execution excellence” in the company’s operations.

Digital Growth Amid Broader Economic Progress

MTN Ghana’s strong performance mirrors the broader expansion of digital services in Ghana. The company has experienced notable financial and usage growth in recent years, positioning itself as a cornerstone of the country’s digital infrastructure:

• In the first quarter of 2025, MTN Ghana posted service revenue growth of nearly 40% year-on-year, illustrating robust demand for mobile and digital solutions despite macroeconomic pressures.
• Profitability metrics for MTN Ghana outpaced larger markets like Nigeria in the first half of 2025, with the Ghanaian unit generating more profit after tax than MTN Nigeria, even though the Nigerian operation serves a much larger subscriber base.

These achievements reflect not just corporate strength but also Ghana’s growing digital economy, where the interplay of mobile telecommunications and fintech helps drive business activities, consumer engagement, and financial access.

Mobile Money as a Growth Engine

A key factor in MTN Ghana’s success is its Mobile Money (MoMo) platform. Across MTN’s wider footprint, mobile money services have facilitated financial inclusion by giving millions access to digital payments and financial transactions that might otherwise be inaccessible through traditional banking systems.

MoMo’s impact extends beyond convenience — it is central to e-commerce, everyday remittances, and business payments, all of which are vital to small and medium-sized enterprises thriving in Ghana’s increasingly digital economy.

Implications for Ghana’s Business Environment

MTN Ghana’s triumphant showing at the MTN Group’s Million Dollar Challenge marks an important vote of confidence in the Ghanaian business climate. It suggests that:

• Enterprise and fintech innovation ecosystems are advancing rapidly, creating platforms that support local and international business growth.
• Regulatory frameworks and market conditions enable stable expansion of digital services that can compete at continental levels.
• Investor interest in Ghana’s digital and telecommunications sectors remains strong, reflecting confidence in long-term sustainable growth.

While MTN Ghana continues to navigate infrastructure and logistical challenges, its leadership at the group level signals that Ghana’s market can foster globally competitive businesses driven by technology and innovation.

MTN Ghana’s recognition now sets a benchmark for other operators and highlights the country’s potential to anchor digital transformation across West Africa and the broader continent, reinforcing Ghana’s overall economic narrative in the telecommunications and fintech sectors.

In a significant move to democratize artificial intelligence (AI) and digital education, the Government of Ghana has entered a strategic partnership with tech giant Google to launch AI education tools featuring advanced speech recognition for Ghanaian languages.

The initiative, announced by Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu via a Facebook post on January 22, will see Google collaborate with the University of Ghana and the Global Disability Innovation (GDI) Hub. The core focus is developing tools with improved speech recognition capabilities in local languages, starting with Twi, Ewe, and Dagbani, to boost accessibility in education and digital services.

Minister Iddrisu revealed he successfully advocated for the inclusion of Hausa, a major lingua franca across West Africa.

“Integrating Hausa will deepen regional inclusion and further strengthen Ghana’s leadership as an AI innovation hub on the continent,” he stated.

According to reports, the AI tools are being designed to accurately detect local accents and linguistic variations, ensuring they work in real-world contexts beyond standardized speech. This focus on local language AI aims to bridge the digital divide and create more inclusive technology.

A critical component of the partnership is the development of learning materials aligned with Ghana’s national curriculum. This will include instruction on the responsible use of AI in teaching and learning. Crucially, Minister Iddrisu announced that Google has committed to deploying these tools on a zero-rated basis in Ghana.

“I received firm assurance… that Google’s education tools will be deployed in Ghana on a zero-rated basis… ensuring access for all learners regardless of location or income,” Iddrisu said. “Ghana is not just participating in the AI revolution, we are helping to shape it for Africa.”

This collaboration aligns with Google’s broader $1 billion commitment to invest in Africa’s digital transformation over five years. In 2025, the company dedicated $37 million specifically to support African students and researchers in fields like AI, climate resilience, and healthcare.

The partnership signals a major step toward leveraging homegrown linguistic diversity to position Ghana at the forefront of inclusive, ethical AI development in Africa.