Ghana's Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has announced that all 15 technology-related bills currently under government review will be consolidated into a single comprehensive framework known as the Digital Economy Act.
The Minister disclosed this plan during a stakeholder engagement session on the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Bill. George told industry representatives that the proposed Act would establish clear relationships between all existing technology legislation and Ghana's broader digital ecosystem.
Comprehensive Regulatory Framework
George described the Digital Economy Act as a "one-stop-shop law" that would enable different technology sub-sectors to identify applicable regulations and determine which regulatory bodies oversee specific functions. The framework aims to provide institutional and regulatory coherence that Ghana's digital economy currently lacks.
"This will define the relationship between all 15 pieces of legislation, including newer proposals such as the Emerging Technologies Bill and the Startup Bill, and the broader digital ecosystem," George explained.
The Minister drew parallels with professional certification systems in established sectors including accountancy, banking, engineering, marketing, and public relations. He noted that while practitioners may hold relevant degrees, additional professional certification within regulated frameworks linking government and private sector remains essential.
Bills Under Review
The legislation being consolidated includes the NITA Bill, the Digital Economy and Innovation Development Fund Bill, the Data Harmonisation Bill, the Data Protection Bill, and the Emerging Technologies Bill, among approximately ten others. This represents what George has characterized as the most comprehensive overhaul of Ghana's communications legal framework since 1996.
Industry Tensions Over NITA
The announcement comes amid growing controversy surrounding NITA's enforcement of registration fees, certification requirements, and compliance obligations for information and communications technology firms, fintechs, and digital service providers. Critics have accused the Agency of enforcing provisions from legislation not yet passed by Parliament.
Policy think tank IMANI Africa has argued that NITA is attempting to construct a regulatory mandate from general financial instruments. The organization contends that NITA's founding legislation explicitly prohibits the current licensing activities the Agency is pursuing.
Professional Standards Vision
George emphasized the need for similar regulatory structures in Ghana's technology and innovation space, enabling employers and clients to verify that practitioners meet accepted professional standards. The Minister cited the example of chartered accountancy, where degree holders must obtain additional professional certification within established regulatory frameworks.
The Digital Economy Act represents the government's strategy to address current regulatory uncertainty by providing a unified legal foundation for Ghana's expanding digital sector. This consolidation effort aims to create clearer pathways for technology professionals and businesses operating in the country's digital economy.
The timeline for completing this legislative consolidation and parliamentary approval of the Digital Economy Act has not been specified by the Communications Ministry.