Ghana’s ambition to become a leading digital hub in West Africa has been reiterated, but with a firm warning to all prospective and existing players to respect the nation’s cybersecurity laws or face the consequences.
This was the clear message delivered by Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Sam George, during the inauguration of the Cybersecurity Industry Forum in Accra.
The Minister emphasized that while Ghana is indeed “open for business,” a commitment championed by the Presidency, this openness is conditional upon strict adherence to domestic regulatory frameworks. The central focus is the protection of Ghanaian citizens and businesses in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
“Ghana is a safe place to visit and to invest… We welcome any investment, except that any investor wishing to come into the country must respect our standards, laws, and frameworks”
Hon. Sam George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations
The Communication Minister stressed that the willingness to invest does not grant digital companies a license to disregard the country’s rules. He pointed to the crucial role of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) as the frontline regulator dedicated to protecting the public interest.
The CSA’s mandate, he affirmed, is to ensure that the privacy of both Ghanaian citizens and local businesses is not only respected but actively adhered to by every entity operating within the digital ecosystem. This position underscores the government’s commitment to placing consumer protection and digital sovereignty above foreign capital interests.
“The fact that you’re an investor doesn’t mean that you just come in here and do what you want. We want you to invest here, but we’re going to make sure that, as a regulator, the Cyber Security Authority ensures that the privacy of Ghanaian businesses and Ghanaian citizens is respected and is also adhered to”
Hon. Sam George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations
“They say when you go to Rome, you do as the Romans do,” he added, further reiterating the principle of international conduct, saying that digital investors must adopt the local standards.
Industry Input and Legislative Reform
The inauguration of the Cybersecurity Industry Forum marked a significant step in the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen Ghana’s legal framework.
According to Hon. Sam George, the Forum, comprising key private sector stakeholders, has been immediately tasked with integrating practical private-sector inputs into the ongoing amendment of the Cybersecurity Act, 1038.
The amendment bill, known as the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a major legislative undertaking aimed at boosting the capacity of the CSA, introducing new regulations for Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), and addressing emerging technological threats like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain.
This extensive legislative review follows a public consultation period between October and November that generated an impressive over 272 memos from stakeholders.
The Minister revealed that the Communications Ministry and its legal teams are currently working to harmonize these inputs before the amended bill is submitted for Cabinet approval and ultimately, parliamentary deliberation.
Festive Season Vigilance
Complementing the legislative drive, the Acting Director-General of the CSA, Divine Selasie Agbetsi, issued a timely and urgent public safety warning. He cautioned the public to anticipate a rise in cyber threats as the country enters the festive season, a time often exploited by malicious actors.
“If you are not expecting links from people or groups, especially on WhatsApp, do not open them blindly. Ask yourself what value it brings. Young men and women must remain vigilant and protect their digital dignity”
Divine Selasie Agbetsi, Acting Director-General of the CSA
Mr. Agbetsi stressed that personal digital responsibility is the first line of defense against phishing and other online scams.
The Ministry’s inauguration of the industry forum and its clear message to investors thus signals Ghana’s readiness to balance rapid digital growth with robust, domestically controlled regulations, ensuring that the country’s digital future is both safe and compliant.
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