The Government is preparing sweeping reforms to Ghana’s digital governance regime, including a new Data Protection Bill that will regulate artificial intelligence (AI), automated decision-making and cross-border data transfers.
Announcing the initiative at the 2026 Data Protection Conference in Accra, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the proposed legislation is designed to modernise Ghana’s legal framework in response to the rapid evolution of digital technologies.
Under the proposed reforms, enforcement mechanisms will be strengthened, international data transfer rules clarified, and citizens’ rights enhanced to ensure that personal data is protected within increasingly complex global data ecosystems.
The Minister cautioned that while Ghana has made significant progress in digital transformation — including growth in mobile money, interoperable payment systems and open banking — rapid expansion without robust safeguards could expose citizens and institutions to new risks. He described trust as a critical pillar of the digital economy, warning that without confidence in data protection systems, innovation and investment could falter.
Alongside the new Data Protection Bill, government is developing an Emerging Technologies Bill to provide oversight for AI systems, advanced analytics and digital assets. A national Artificial Intelligence Strategy is also underway to build local capacity while embedding fairness, transparency and accountability into AI development.
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, underscored the concept of digital sovereignty, arguing that national sovereignty in the 21st century extends beyond physical borders to control over data and digital infrastructure. He called for enforceable laws and resilient systems to safeguard Ghana’s digital independence.
Highlighting the human cost of weak data governance, Arnold Kavaarpuo, Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, recounted a case in which a borrower’s private contacts were accessed and shared after defaulting on a mobile loan, leading to public embarrassment. He stressed that data protection is fundamentally about power, responsibility and the protection of human dignity.
The conference brought together legislators, regulators, financial institutions, technology firms and civil society groups, all urged to translate dialogue into stronger governance structures that will secure Ghana’s digital future while promoting innovation grounded in public trust.
