By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrews Asiamah Amoako, has called for stronger national control over identity, data and digital systems, warning that sovereignty in the digital century now extends beyond territorial boundaries.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament at the 2026 Data Protection Conference in Accra, Mr. Amoako said the traditional understanding of sovereignty has evolved. In today’s digital age, he noted, sovereignty includes control over identity, personal data and the digital systems that record, interpret and preserve the memory of a nation.
He stressed that identity cannot be trivialized because it is sacred and determines how citizens and countries are remembered. Drawing on African traditions, he explained that identity has historically been safeguarded through customs, symbols, policies and oral traditions that carried history, authority and governance across generations, ensuring unity, resilience, responsibility and continuity.
Mr. Amoako described digitalization as a compelling imperative reshaping institutions and societies. However, he said the defining question is not whether Ghana should digitize, but whether the country will take control of digital transformation and govern it effectively, or merely experience its impact.
He posed critical governance questions: Who determines how data is collected? Where is it stored? Who analyzes and monetizes it? And who ensures accountability when digital systems fail or when citizens suffer harm?
According to him, although data flows easily across borders, many states are still developing the technical capacity to manage digital ecosystems. He acknowledged existing infrastructure constraints but cautioned that capacity limitations must not become an excuse for inaction.
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, also underscored the importance of building trust and protecting citizen data as Ghana advances its digital agenda.
He described data generated through mobile money, banking, health records and other digital services as a critical national resource that must be governed responsibly to maintain fairness, public confidence and economic growth.
The Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Arnold Kavaarpuo, emphasized the need to continuously update Ghana’s legal and regulatory framework to address artificial intelligence, biometrics, digital identity systems and cross-border data transfers. He stressed that enforcement decisions must remain transparent and aligned with national policy objectives and economic governance priorities.
The conference, held under the theme “Your Data, Your Identity: Building Trust in Ghana’s Digital Future,” brought together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to deliberate on privacy, accountability and digital sovereignty in an increasingly interconnected world.
