Ghana takes action to restore nation's authority over .gh domain with the installation of a fresh GDNR board.
The Ghanaian government has expressed concern over the private management of the .gh domain, which is considered a national security risk by Hon. Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. The Minister has made it his top priority to resolve this long-standing issue.
During the swearing-in ceremony for the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) board, Hon. George emphasised the need to reclaim full government control over the .gh country code top-level domain (ccTLD) from the private operator Ghana.com. He referred to the .gh domain as a sovereign digital identity asset that should not be operated privately.
The newly inaugurated GDNR has been tasked with transforming the management of the .gh domain. The board's key goals include:
- Reclaiming full government control over the .gh ccTLD from the private operator Ghana.com, ensuring sovereign oversight and security.
- Promoting Ghana’s national digital identity by encouraging the use of subdomains such as .com.gh among businesses to boost digital presence and national branding.
- Streamlining and fully digitizing the domain registration process to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and modernization of domain services.
- Safeguarding Ghana’s stake in Africa’s remaining IPv4 and IPv6 resources, reflecting a strategic interest in managing critical internet infrastructure.
These goals aim to strengthen Ghana's digital sovereignty, increase government control over key digital assets, and foster growth in the digital economy through enhanced domain management.
New revenue-generation models must be explored to sustain GDNR's operations, as stated by the Minister. He also urged the Board to promote national digital identity by encouraging widespread use of .com.gh domains among local businesses. The Minister called for bold leadership and strategic action from the new GDNR Board.
The Ministry has launched technical and financial processes to transition the .gh domain from Ghana.com to full government control, working with the GDNR. Compliance across all public sector agencies in the use of .gh domains must be enforced, according to the Minister. He has also called for legislative reforms that would mandate the use of .gh domains as part of business incorporation or renewal.
The new GDNR Board, chaired by Estelle Akofio Sowah, includes Wisdom Donkor, Solomon Tetteh Mensah, Christabel Aretha Mfoama, Professor Ayikwei Addo, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, Professor Amos Kabo Bah, Dr. Paul A. Danquah, and Eric Ogum Akumiah.
The GDNR has been officially inaugurated by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations. The Minister's comments during the swearing-in ceremony underscored the government's commitment to strengthening Ghana's digital sovereignty and ensuring the security of its digital identity assets.
- The Minister stressed the importance of national security in the management of the .gh domain, urging the new GDNR board to ensure sovereign oversight and security over the domain to protect Ghana's digital identity.
- In line with the Minister's priorities, the GDNR has been tasked with safeguarding Ghana’s stake in Africa’s remaining IPv4 and IPv6 resources as part of managing critical internet infrastructure, which is essential for ensuring the security and sovereignty of Ghana's digital assets.
