After 8 years, Ghana seeks to recover national authority of.gh domain
- Titus Isacc
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Minister George challenged the new GDNR board to reclaim full control of Ghana's country code top-level domain (.gh), arguing it represents forward-thinking management reforms.
By Titus Isaac
The control of Ghana's .gh domain is entering a new chapter of battle after years of private management, with the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, inaugurating the Governing Board of the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) yesterday.
Minister George challenged the new GDNR board to reclaim full control of Ghana's country code top-level domain (.gh), arguing it represents forward-thinking management reforms.
During the swearing-in event in Accra, the Minister underlined the importance of regaining national sovereignty over Ghana's digital identity assets. He expressed worry that the.gh domain had been under private management for years.
“That is a national security risk. It is unacceptable for a sovereign digital identity asset to be operated privately,” he stated.
He stated that overcoming the eight-year standoff over domain control was his first goal upon taking office.
Under his guidance, the Ministry has begun the technical and financial processes necessary to transfer the.gh domain from private operator Ghana.com to full government ownership, in collaboration with the GDNR.
Furthermore, he urged the incoming Board to prioritise protecting Ghana's IPv4 and IPv6 resources in Africa.
In outlining the commercial and strategic opportunities of the .gh domain, he tasked the Board to; promote national digital identity by encouraging the use of .com.gh among businesses; streamline and fully digitise the domain registration process; propose legislative reforms mandating .gh registration as part of company incorporation or renewal.
Additionally, he urged the new team to enforce compliance across all public sector agencies, explore revenue-generation models to sustain GDNR operations.
“This Board has the opportunity to leave a legacy. Let’s make .gh a symbol of national pride and digital sovereignty,” he charged.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of public trust and international legitimacy in Ghana's domain governance reforms, emphasising that they must be transparent, inclusive, and technically sound.
New GDNR Board members include Estelle Akofio Sowah, Wisdom Donkor, Solomon Tetteh Mensah, Christabel Aretha Mfoama, Prof. Ayikwei Addo, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, Prof. Amos Kabo Bah, D. Paul A. Danquah, and Eric Ogum Akumiah.
