Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has emphasized that for Ghana and other African countries to protect citizens’ data and harness technology for development, governments must adopt deliberate policies that support local technology companies to scale up products tailored for their economies and beyond.
Speaking as a keynote speaker on Day 2 of the 2025 MOBEX Africa ICT Conference and Expo in Accra, Sam George revealed that the Ministry is implementing key policy reforms to create an enabling environment that promotes Ghanaian innovation and protects the sovereignty of citizens’ data in a world dominated by Western capitalist influences.
“It is incumbent on African governments to create an enabling environment where local technology companies can scale up their products and solutions to address national challenges and drive sustainable development,” he said.
He further disclosed that his Ministry is drafting 15 new policy documents aimed at streamlining operations within the information technology space.
“These policies will enable local firms to maximize their potential and seize emerging opportunities in today’s digital ecosystem,” he added. “They will give Ghanaian innovators a strong foundation to create meaningful impact both locally and internationally in the years ahead.”
Ghanaian scientist and IT engineer, Professor Nii Narku Quaynor, also noted that since the introduction of the internet in Ghana and Africa in 1995, both the private sector and government have made significant investments to drive digital transformation across key sectors.
“Africa’s internet infrastructure has evolved remarkably since the early 1990s,” he said. “What began with limited resources has now transformed economies and strengthened innovation across the continent.”
The conference brought together leading experts, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa to discuss emerging trends in technology, exchange knowledge, and explore strategies to strengthen digital governance and innovation on the continent.
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Story by Sika Togoh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
