Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that the ,government is set to address inefficiencies and duplication within the public sector’s digital and ICT ecosystem through reforms under the proposed National Information Technology Authority (NITA) Bill.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, May 26, the Minister said the reforms are aimed at streamlining government technology procurement and curbing wasteful spending arising from multiple agencies independently acquiring similar digital solutions.
He explained that the current system has led to situations where different government institutions procure identical applications and services separately, resulting in avoidable costs to the state.
“We’re looking to clean up the public sector space very well. Let’s be honest with ourselves and call a spade a spade. There is a multiplicity of duplicated systems.
“So you realise that there’s one service provider offering a service to five or six government agencies and charging government six times, meanwhile government could secure one solution for multiple platforms at a cheaper cost,” he noted.
The Minister further revealed plans to introduce a technical clearance certification system that will require ICT-related procurements to undergo review before approval.
According to him, the new system will complement existing procurement processes and help ensure that government avoids unnecessary duplication in technology spending.
“The same way you need commitment authorisation from the Finance Minister before procurement approval, we are introducing a technical clearance certification system so the central IT agency can assess what government is paying for and help save the taxpayer from duplicated expenditure,” he explained.
The proposed NITA Bill seeks to strengthen the authority’s mandate to regulate Ghana’s ICT and digital technology space. It contains provisions covering licensing of ICT service providers, certification of ICT professionals, technical standards, digital infrastructure, compliance monitoring, and ICT procurement oversight.
It is also expected to replace or update parts of the National Information Technology Agency Act, 2008, while expanding NITA’s role as the central regulator for public sector technology systems and digital service providers.
Meanwhile, Mr. George has clarified that the version of the bill currently in circulation is only a preliminary draft and does not have any legal force in its present form.
