The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has urged African countries to transition from being passive consumers of global technology to active contributors and partners.
He made this call on Tuesday, in Accra, when he represented President Mahama at the opening of the 2025 Data Protection Africa Summit.
Addressing data protection regulators, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners, he said that the continent’s competitiveness will heavily depend on robust data governance, trust, and coordinated digital policies.
In alignment with the summit’s theme, “Defining Africa’s Digital Future: From Consumerism to Partnership,” Mr George pointed to the implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, noting that an integrated digital market is unattainable without secure cross-border data systems.
The Minister announced that Ghana is progressing with a Data Harmonisation Bill, designed to support interoperability, secure datasets, and improve the management of data access protocols.
“We must shift from merely consuming global technologies to actively shaping and contributing to them,” he stated, highlighting Ghana’s ongoing efforts to modernise digital governance laws, expand rural broadband, and enhance e-government services.
The Board Chair of the Africa Digital Rights Hub (ADRH), Prof. Justice S.K. Date-Bah, cautioned against viewing data protection solely as a technical issue, stressing that it must be recognised as a fundamental human rights concern.
He called for stronger capacity building, harmonised data governance systems, and “homegrown solutions” tailored to Africa’s unique values and needs.
Prof. Date-Bah noted that the summit serves as an essential platform for research and dialogue, encouraging participants to foster partnerships that will enable Africa to achieve true equity in global technology governance.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Data Protection Commission, Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo, praised Ghana’s progress in promoting privacy as a cultural value rather than merely a regulatory obligation.
He announced Ghana’s recent admission into the Global Privacy Assembly’s Data Sharing Working Group in South Korea, calling it a significant step that empowers the country to have a stronger voice in shaping global standards for ethical data use.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
