The government has begun a comprehensive review of 15 pieces of legislation governing Ghana’s information and communications technology sector as part of efforts to modernise the country’s legal and regulatory framework for the digital economy.
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, disclosed this during the Government’s Accountability Series on Monday, September 7.
He said approximately half of the review process had been completed, with stakeholder consultations already concluded on 10 priority bills.
The review forms part of the government’s broader agenda to ensure that Ghana’s laws keep pace with rapid developments in technology, cybersecurity, data protection, innovation and digital communications.
Among the key pieces of legislation under review are the Data Harmonisation Bill, Cybersecurity Authority Bill, Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill and National Communications Authority Bill, alongside six other proposed laws.
The minister said updating the legal framework was critical to creating an enabling environment for Ghana’s digital transformation.
The review is expected to address gaps in existing legislation and strengthen the institutional and regulatory structures required to manage emerging technologies and the rapidly expanding digital economy.
The proposed Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill, for instance, is expected to contribute to efforts to create a more supportive legal environment for innovators, entrepreneurs and technology-driven businesses.
Similarly, the review of cybersecurity-related legislation comes at a time when the increasing use of digital platforms has heightened the need to strengthen the protection of citizens, businesses and critical national infrastructure from cyber threats.
Sam George said the stakeholder consultation process was important to ensuring that the revised laws reflected the realities and needs of the digital sector.
The ongoing legislative review is therefore expected to provide Ghana with a stronger legal foundation for digitalisation while supporting innovation, investment, data protection, cybersecurity and effective regulation.
