Economic Adviser at the Office of the Vice President, Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid, has urged Parliament to adopt a bipartisan and consultative approach in passing the Cybersecurity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, emphasizing that the legislation must be driven by technical insight rather than political interests.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Prof. Khalid underscored the need for inclusive engagement with digital security experts, civil society actors, and other key stakeholders to ensure the bill’s effectiveness in safeguarding Ghana’s cyberspace.
“With such legislation, I will always call for bipartisan support,” he stated. “The cybersecurity network in the country, including professionals, civil society organisations, and others whose work directly relates to this field, ought to be consulted to chart the way forward.”
The economist noted that drafting cybersecurity legislation is inherently complex, as laws in this area must balance security imperatives with constitutional freedoms and digital innovation.
“Legislation can be a very challenging process, and drafting is often the hardest part. Sometimes the intent of a law is not clearly captured on paper, which is why it’s important to involve skilled drafters in the process,” he explained.
Prof. Khalid further warned that poorly worded laws could create room for misinterpretation, potentially leading to enforcement challenges or abuse of power.
He concluded by stressing that Ghana’s cybersecurity framework must be robust yet adaptable, capable of responding to emerging digital threats without stifling innovation or infringing on citizens’ rights.
“Cybersecurity laws must not only be strong enough to counter evolving threats but also carefully structured to prevent unintended consequences,” he added.
Prof. Khalid’s comments come at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to strengthen its digital governance systems amid rising concerns about online fraud, data breaches, and cyberattacks targeting public and private institutions.
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