Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, says planned reforms under a proposed National Information Technology Authority (NITA) Bill aim to reduce duplication and inefficiencies in government ICT spending.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Tuesday (26 May), the minister said the reforms would streamline procurement across the public sector, where multiple agencies currently acquire similar digital systems independently.

He said the practice results in unnecessary costs to the state.

“We’re looking to clean up the public sector space very well,” he said, adding that there was “a multiplicity of duplicated systems”.

George said some service providers supply similar services to several government institutions and charge separately for each, when a single integrated system could reduce costs.

The minister also announced plans for a new technical clearance certification system that would require ICT-related procurement to undergo review before approval.

He said the measure would complement existing procurement procedures and help ensure value for money in government technology spending.

“The same way you need commitment authorisation from the Finance Minister before procurement approval, we are introducing a technical clearance certification system,” he said.

The proposed NITA Bill seeks to strengthen regulation of Ghana’s ICT sector, including licensing of service providers, certification of professionals, technical standards, and oversight of digital infrastructure and procurement.

It is expected to expand the mandate of the National Information Technology Agency under a revised legal framework.

George also clarified that the current draft of the bill in circulation is preliminary and has no legal force.