Ghana is set to implement significant changes in its digital landscape with the introduction of the Ghana Domain Name Registry Act, 2025. This proposed legislation will mandate businesses operating within the country to adopt the .gh domain name for all their official websites and digital platforms intended for public access. An explicit provision within the bill states that "All entities legally registered or operating in the Republic shall be required to register and maintain an active .gh domain name for any official website or digital platform intended for public access."

The bill is currently under review and seeks to establish the Ghana Domain Name Registry, an entity that will be responsible for the comprehensive administration and management of the entire .gh domain space. Its duties will include maintaining a central registry of domain names and providing secure email services specifically for government bodies. Public consultation on the bill is open from October 13, 2025, to November 7, 2025, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before its finalization.

A critical aspect of the new legislation is the transition period for existing organizations. Businesses that do not currently utilize .gh domains will be required to transition to the national domain within six months after the bill officially takes effect. Failure to comply with this mandate could lead to severe sanctions. The legislation outlines a range of penalties, including fines for companies and their directors, with directors facing fines of up to 5,000 penalty units, and businesses between 1,000 and 10,000 penalty units for each year of non-compliance. Furthermore, regulatory licenses could be suspended or even revoked. The registry also holds the power to apply to the High Court of Ghana to seize, block, or deactivate non-compliant domain names, and internet service providers may be compelled to disconnect defaulting entities from their systems.

However, the Ghana Domain Name Registry Act, 2025, does provide specific exemptions. Businesses that do not specifically target Ghanaian users or whose digital platforms are hosted outside the country may apply to the registry for official exemption from the .gh domain requirement. This provision aims to mitigate the impact on international businesses with minimal local focus.

This Domain Name Registry Act is part of a broader legislative push by the Ghanaian government, which also includes the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill and the Data Harmonisation Bill, both of which are concurrently under review. While these legislative efforts aim to strengthen Ghana's digital infrastructure and security, some Ghanaians have expressed concerns. They worry that certain sections of these bills could potentially expand government control over digital spaces and raise significant privacy issues for individuals and businesses alike.