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Sam George Leads Ghana's Digital Transformation and Policy Initiatives

Published 9 hours ago5 minute read
Sam George Leads Ghana's Digital Transformation and Policy Initiatives

Samuel Nartey George, Ghana's Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, has recently made a series of pivotal announcements outlining the government's comprehensive efforts to enhance the nation's digital landscape. These initiatives span critical areas including digital safety, service accessibility, economic empowerment, and regulatory oversight, signaling a proactive approach to fostering a secure, equitable, and advanced digital ecosystem.

A significant focus for the Ministry is the imminent National Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, which is poised for presentation to Parliament in its upcoming session. Addressing the media on Thursday, July 3, the Minister underscored the bill's importance in safeguarding Ghana's digital information environment against falsehoods and harmful online content that threaten public trust, national security, and democratic engagement. The proposed legislation aims to establish a clear legal framework, empowering statutory bodies to effectively counter the deliberate spread of false information while robustly upholding citizens' fundamental right to free speech. The Minister affirmed that while free expression would be respected, it must be exercised responsibly, asserting the principle that "when your right to free expression ends, your duty not to misinform begins." This bill reflects a broader commitment to promoting accountable digital communication, fostering trustworthy public discourse, and advancing digital literacy.

In the realm of social media regulation, Minister George revealed a meeting held on June 26, 2025, with TikTok’s West African government relations team. These discussions were prompted by growing concerns over inappropriate content on the platform, particularly disturbing trends involving sexually explicit behavior during live sessions, which are deemed unacceptable and contrary to Ghanaian cultural values. As part of efforts to cultivate a safer, more inclusive, and responsible digital creative space, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for robust content moderation within Ghana. To this end, the Cybersecurity Authority has been tasked with conducting constant surveillance of TikTok accounts that engage in culturally inappropriate content, working collaboratively with the platform operator to facilitate the removal of such accounts and block their owners from further operation.

Addressing pressing public concerns regarding the affordability of digital services, Minister George has vowed to secure a reduction in DSTV subscription fees. Following numerous complaints about escalating costs and perceived poor service quality, the Minister disclosed that he had convened an emergency meeting with the senior management of MultiChoice Africa, including their South African counterparts, scheduled for Friday, July 4, 2025. He expressed strong optimism that this critical dialogue would lead to a significant and favorable adjustment in subscription pricing. The Minister made a solemn promise to the public, stating, "I will not leave tomorrow’s meeting without securing a reduction in DSTV pricing," underscoring the government’s commitment to regulatory accountability and ensuring digital services remain fair, accessible, and responsive to Ghana’s economic realities.

Furthering efforts to empower Ghana's digital economy, the Ministry has formally re-engaged with PayPal to ensure full access to its services for Ghanaian users. As of June 2025, PayPal’s regional government relations team has provided Ghana with a comprehensive compliance roadmap detailing the technical, regulatory, and financial requirements for whitelist reinstatement. The Ministry is actively collaborating with the Bank of Ghana and other key stakeholders to fulfill these conditions and ensure PayPal’s compliance with all operational requirements in Ghana. The Minister expressed confidence that positive news regarding PayPal’s full integration would be shared within weeks, significantly boosting payment solutions for freelancers, e-commerce businesses, and digital entrepreneurs who rely on seamless international transactions.

Modernizing public service delivery is also a key priority, with over 16,000 government services set to become accessible through an upgraded Ghana.Gov platform. This comprehensive reengineering, spearheaded by the Ministry in collaboration with the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), aims to transform citizen interaction with government. Once relaunched after the public tender process, the redesigned platform will feature significantly faster access, full Ghana Card integration, and an intuitive, streamlined interface designed for both individuals and businesses. This initiative is expected to enhance transparency, convenience, and reliability in accessing public services, removing physical barriers to government interactions.

In a move to place Ghana firmly on the global innovation map, the Minister proudly announced that the country has been chosen to host the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Festival. This major international event, scheduled for three days in November, is anticipated to attract over 10,000 in-person participants from more than 70 countries, alongside over 100 exhibitors. The festival is designed to bring together venture capitalists, global investors, tech leaders, and industry captains, all seeking to partner with Ghana’s brightest innovators and promising startups. It is expected to serve as a crucial launchpad for local entrepreneurs to gain access to vital funding, mentorship, and global markets, while also yielding significant socio-economic benefits for the nation through increased tourism, job creation, and international collaboration.

Finally, the government is intensifying efforts to make internet services more affordable and accessible for all Ghanaians. Following a secured 15% increase in the value of data across the three major telecom companies as of July 1, 2025, and the restoration of special data bundles, the Ministry remains engaged with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to further study data costs in relation to the earning power of Ghanaians. The overarching goal is to ensure that data is regarded as a utility, not a luxury. Furthermore, all three major telecom companies in Ghana have committed to investing a combined $150 million into their networks by the end of 2025 to significantly enhance service quality, reliability, and resilience across the country.

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