Minister for Communication, Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has sought to allay public concerns surrounding the proposed National Information Technology Authority (NITA) Bill, clarifying that the document currently circulating is only an initial draft and has no legal effect.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Accra on Tuesday, May 26, the Minister dismissed claims that the government had already passed or begun implementing the bill, describing such reports as misleading.
“That is so far away from the fact and the truth,” he stated, explaining that the document is merely a “zero draft,” which represents the earliest phase of the legislative process.
According to Sam George, the proposed bill has gone through multiple revisions by legal teams, but is yet to receive final approval from the Ministry. He disclosed that even the fifth draft of the document has not been endorsed.
“The fifth iteration has still not even been approved by the ministry,” he said.
He further clarified that the NITA Bill is not part of the 10 Cabinet memoranda currently under consideration by his ministry and has not been submitted to Cabinet.
Outlining the legislative process, the Minister explained that the bill must undergo review by the Ministry, Cabinet, the Attorney-General’s Department and Parliament before it can become law through clause-by-clause consideration.
Touching on Ghana’s existing ICT legal framework, Mr George referenced Acts 771 and 772, enacted in 2008, which currently regulate the sector. While describing the laws as progressive at the time of their passage, he acknowledged that rapid technological advancements over the past 18 years have rendered parts of the legislation outdated and in need of reform.
He explained that once finalized, the proposed NITA Bill will elevate the National Information Technology Agency into a fully-fledged regulatory authority with powers to license ICT companies, certify professionals, establish digital standards and regulate technology procurement within government institutions.
The proposed legislation also seeks to establish an ICT tribunal to handle disputes and introduces sanctions for offences such as fraud, unlicensed ICT operations and data breaches.
