The National Communications Authority (NCA) has extended the deadline for its public consultations on the three new Draft Bills for which it is seeking stakeholder contribution to repeal and replace three existing industry laws.
Per a statement on the NCA’s website, the new deadline for comments on all three Draft Bills is Friday, November 14, 2025.
The instruments in question are the National Communications Authority Bill, 2025, Electronic Communications Bill, 2025 and the Number Registration Regulations, 2025
The three draft instruments aim to strengthen Ghana’s communications and digital regulatory framework in line with technological advancements, global best practices, and national digital transformation objectives.
Ghana’s NCA has a global reputation for being one of the most dynamic on the continent. But over time, the laws with which it regulates the industry have become partly outmoded in the face of advanced technology and the fast-paced dynamics in the industry.
For instance, Ghana’s industry regulations have been widely fingered for been largely fit for a dominantly voice market, when in fact the industry has now gone largely data with even more advanced technologies fast emerging on the operator side.
Under the previous NCA board, a five year development plan was launched designed to move the NCA from a good regulator to a great one. But the laws with which NCA can play its regulatory role more effectively largely remained unchanged until now.
National Communications Authority Bill, 2025
The (NCA), under the auspices of the Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations ministry, therefore intends to introduce the National Communications Authority Bill, 2025 to repeal and replace the existing National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769).
The purpose of the new Bill is to do the following:
- Strengthen and modernise the regulatory and institutional framework for the effective administration, independence, and accountability of Ghana’s communications sector;
- Ensure transparency, efficiency, and best regulatory practices in the management of communications networks, services, and resources;
- Clarify and update the statutory functions, powers, and governance structures of the Authority;
- Align the operations of the Authority with emerging trends in digitalisation, technological innovation, and international best practice; and
- Enhance coordination between the Authority, Government, and other sectoral regulators to ensure policy coherence and efficient regulation of the communications ecosystem.
Electronic Communications Bill, 2025
The Electronic Communications Bill, 2025 is also intended to repeal and replace the existing Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The purpose of this Bill is to:
- Modernise and consolidate the legal and regulatory framework governing the provision of electronic communications, broadcasting, and related digital services;
- Promote fair competition, innovation, and investment in Ghana’s communications and digital ecosystem;
- Strengthen the Authority’s regulatory powers and processes for spectrum management, licensing, interconnection, and infrastructure sharing;
- Enhance and promote consumer protection, data privacy, cybersecurity resilience, and universal access to communications services; and
- Ensure alignment with emerging technologies, international best practices, and national digital transformation objectives.
Number Registration Regulations, 2025
In the same vein, the Number Registration Regulations, 2025, is intended to repeal and replace the existing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 2006).
The purpose of these Regulations is to:
- Strengthen the legal and institutional framework for number registration in Ghana;
- Enhance data governance, consumer protection, and institutional coordination in the management of subscriber information;
- Establish robust standards for identity verification, authentication, and lawful processing of registration data;
- Promote inclusion and accessibility in number registration for all persons, including underserved and marginalised groups; and
- Ensure the integrity, security, and accountability of national numbering resources and registration databases.
The NCA said “pursuant to Section 27 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), Section 5(h) of the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769), and Section 4.1 of the National Telecommunications Policy 2005 (NTP’05),” it invites views and comments from licensed service providers, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, consumers, and the general public on the three draft instruments, adding that stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments electronically to info@nca.org.gh before the new deadline.
