Sam George Warns Ghana to Rethink Digital Agreements Over Health Data Protection Concerns

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has raised concerns about how agreements involving the country’s digital economy are negotiated and signed, particularly those that could affect the protection and management of sensitive health data.

Sam George’s remarks highlight the need for Ghana to carefully assess the terms of digital agreements to ensure that personal information, including medical records, is adequately protected and that the country’s interests are not compromised.

Speaking in connection with the Digital Economy Forum, the minister urged stakeholders to pay closer attention to the implications of agreements involving digital technologies and data sharing. His concerns centre on the importance of understanding what Ghana commits to when entering into arrangements that could give external partners access to information generated or held within the country.

Health data is among the most sensitive categories of personal information because it can contain details about an individual’s medical history, diagnoses, treatment, prescriptions and other private health matters. The handling of such information therefore requires strong safeguards to prevent unauthorised access, misuse or disclosure.

Sam George’s warning raises broader questions about how governments negotiate digital partnerships and whether sufficient attention is given to data ownership, privacy, security and accountability before agreements are signed.

As Ghana expands its digital transformation agenda, cooperation with international organisations, technology companies and development partners can provide opportunities to improve public services and strengthen digital infrastructure. However, such partnerships also require careful consideration of the legal and technical conditions governing the collection, storage, transfer and use of personal information.

In the health sector, digital systems can improve the management of medical records, facilitate information sharing among healthcare providers and support more efficient service delivery. However, these benefits depend on ensuring that sensitive information is handled responsibly and remains protected against potential breaches.

The concerns also underscore the importance of transparency in the negotiation of agreements. Government officials and relevant institutions need to understand the obligations attached to digital partnerships before committing the country to arrangements that could have long-term implications for citizens and public institutions.

Ghana already has a legal framework for protecting personal information, including the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). Effective implementation of such protections remains important as more public services move to digital platforms and the exchange of information becomes increasingly common.

The Digital Economy Forum provides a platform for discussions on how digital technologies can support economic growth, improve public services and create new opportunities. Issues surrounding data governance and cybersecurity are essential to these discussions because public confidence in digital systems depends partly on how personal information is managed.

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