Sam George speaks after massive backlash over NITA

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 said the Ministry and NITA were only enforcing existing laws and regulations already passed by Parliament.

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The minister stated that criticisms based on misinformation and social media trends would not be taken seriously.

“I have always reiterated that personally and officially, I am always open to informed and constructive criticism and opinions,” he wrote.

He added that criticisms not grounded in facts were aimed at misleading the public.

“Criticisms that jump on bandwagon trends and fail to be based on fact are treated with contempt because they are not only mischievous but intended to misinform,” he stated.

Attached images in the post showed portions of existing laws and regulations cited by the minister, including 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).

The documents highlighted provisions giving NITA powers to regulate, license, certify, and charge fees for electronic transactions, digital service providers, and related technology operations.

Sam George said claims that NITA was acting illegally were false because the agency’s actions were backed by existing laws.

“To all the ‘IT Professionals’ who all of a sudden are making all manner of spurious claims that the Ministry through its Agency - NITA - is acting illegally, please read the National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008,” he wrote.

He clarified that the proposed new legislation being discussed publicly had not yet been presented to Parliament.

“The Ministry is simply ENFORCING existing legislation that has been on our books since 2008, 2023 and 2025. The proposed new legislation has NOT even been laid before Parliament,” he added.

The minister further challenged critics to point out any action by NITA that was not supported by law.

“I welcome anyone to point out which specific action of the Agency is NOT backed by a provision under the stated legislation. We have a Country to build, and we will ensure enforcement and sanity in our Technology space,” he stated.

His comments follow claims by some technology professionals that NITA, a government agency under the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations established under the National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008 (Act 771) to regulate and coordinate information technology activities in Ghana, is attempting to enforce provisions of a proposed law that Parliament has not yet passed.

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The backlash against NITA emerged after the agency began enforcing registration, certification and compliance requirements for ICT firms, fintech companies, internet service providers and other digital platforms operating in Ghana.

Some industry players and technology professionals raised concerns over the fees and licensing requirements, questioning the potential impact of the measures on startups and small technology businesses.

I have always reiterated that personally and officially, I am always open to informed and constructive criticism and opinions.

Criticisms that jump on bandwagon trends and fail to be based on fact are treated with contempt because they are not only mischievous but intended to… pic.twitter.com/S7alSF1c4r

— Sam 'Dzata' George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) May 23, 2026

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