Accra: Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has defended the actions of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) following criticism from some technology professionals over the agency's enforcement activities. In a post shared on X on May 23, 2026, Sam George stated that the Ministry and NITA were only enforcing existing laws and regulations already passed by Parliament.
According to Ghana Web, the minister emphasized that criticisms based on misinformation and social media trends would not be taken seriously. He reiterated his openness to informed and constructive criticism, both personally and officially, while dismissing uninformed criticisms as attempts to mislead the public. He noted that such criticisms, which lack factual grounding, were mischievous and intended to misinform.
The post included images of existing laws and regulations cited by the minister, such as the National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008 (Act 771), the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772), the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2481), and the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2512). These documents highlighted provisions that empower NITA to regulate, license, certify, and charge fees for electronic transactions, digital service providers, and related technology operations.
Sam George refuted claims that NITA was acting illegally, asserting that the agency's actions were supported by existing laws. He urged critics to review the National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008 to verify the legality of NITA's operations. The minister clarified that the new legislation being discussed publicly had not yet been presented to Parliament, and the Ministry was merely enforcing existing legislation.
The backlash against NITA arose after the agency began enforcing registration, certification, and compliance requirements for ICT firms, fintech companies, internet service providers, and other digital platforms in Ghana. Some industry players and technology professionals expressed concerns over the fees and licensing requirements, questioning their potential impact on startups and small technology businesses.