Communications Minister Sam Nartey George has defended the legislative process surrounding the proposed National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Bill, insisting that while the government welcomes feedback from the technology industry, it will not alter parliamentary procedures to satisfy pressure from critics.
The Minister made the remarks amid growing concerns within Ghana’s technology ecosystem over aspects of the bill, including regulatory powers, licensing requirements, and the level of consultation undertaken before the legislation was laid before Parliament.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement, Sam George acknowledged the concerns raised by industry players but maintained that the legislative process must follow constitutional and parliamentary procedures.
“I hear the tech industry, but we won’t rewrite rules because a section of people feel they should determine how Parliament works,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the NITA Bill is intended to modernise Ghana’s digital governance architecture, strengthen cybersecurity oversight, improve data infrastructure management, and provide a stronger legal framework for regulating technology-related operations in the country.
He rejected claims that the government had failed to engage relevant stakeholders, arguing that consultations had taken place over an extended period before the bill was introduced.
“There has been engagement. The idea that this bill emerged overnight is inaccurate,” Sam George stressed.
Some technology entrepreneurs, digital rights advocates, and industry associations have criticised portions of the bill, warning that certain provisions could increase regulatory burdens on startups and potentially discourage innovation within Ghana’s growing digital economy.
However, Sam George insisted that the government remains committed to balancing innovation with regulation and national digital security interests.
“We cannot build a serious digital economy without a strong legal and regulatory framework,” he said.
The Minister also clarified that Parliament remains the constitutionally mandated body to debate, amend, and approve legislation, stressing that stakeholders still have opportunities to submit proposals through the appropriate parliamentary channels.
