Ghana’s Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Sam Nartey George has challenged the security of agreements involving the country’s health data shared with foreign entities, warning they risk Ghana’s sovereignty under foreign laws.
Speaking on Wednesday at Joy News’ Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy, George expressed doubt that contractual assurances from foreign technology companies guarantee control over sensitive information. “That is a mirage that is sold to many African companies, not just Ghanaian companies,” he said.
The Ningo-Prampram MP’s comments came amid Ghana’s dispute with the United States over a proposed health data-sharing compact. The US had offered $109 million in assistance over five years tied to the arrangement, which Ghana rejected over concerns including health data access, financing obligations, and regulatory authority.
George linked his concerns directly to the US CLOUD Act, a law that allows US authorities access to data stored by American companies overseas. He said this could override any promises given by private firms to protect Ghana’s data sovereignty.
“I’ve had this back and forth with Google and Amazon Web Services, where they give you all kinds of agreements that say you are protected and data sovereign,” he said. The minister urged Ghanaian decision-makers to scrutinise agreements carefully and consider the platforms they use for handling sensitive information, especially health records.
President John Mahama has also voiced anxieties about the compact’s terms, stating they included granting the US access to Ghana’s pathogen profile and medical records. The US Embassy denied any intention to obtain identifiable patient data, saying the arrangement only required aggregate health data without personally identifiable information, aimed at assessing health programmes.
Following Ghana’s rejection, Mahama said Washington had requested further discussions to amend or remove the contested clauses. The talks remain ongoing.
The dispute raises broader questions about the control nations retain over data shared with foreign governments and multinational technology firms. Ghana’s experience highlights the tensions between the promise of international aid and the complexities of digital data sovereignty when foreign laws might intervene.
George’s warning comes as countries across Africa and beyond grapple with how to protect citizens’ data amid growing global digitalisation and cross-border agreements.
According to Joy Online.
