Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George called for a resilient and trust-based financial system as the country and the wider West African region deepen digital transformation across banking and payments.
Speaking at the 25th Silver Jubilee edition of the Connected Banking Summit and Innovation and Excellence Awards in Accra on Wednesday, George said next-generation banking must be grounded in governance, inclusion and public confidence rather than superficial digital upgrades.
He said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama is aligning digitalisation with broader goals of economic sovereignty, social inclusion and national resilience, with the financial sector playing a central role in driving growth and stability.George pointed to the need for strong public digital infrastructure, including secure digital identity systems, interoperable payment platforms and trusted data governance frameworks, as the foundation for sustainable private-sector innovation.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to initiatives such as the Data Exchange Hub and a forthcoming Data Harmonization Bill aimed at strengthening confidence and accountability within the financial ecosystem.The minister warned that cybersecurity and data protection have become matters of economic security, urging investment in local technical capacity, clearer cross-border data rules and closer regional cooperation to safeguard financial systems.
He also called on banks and fintech firms to ensure innovation translates into tangible benefits for small businesses, women, young people, farmers and the informal sector, noting that technology alone does not guarantee inclusion.
The summit was organised by the International Centre for Strategic Alliances, which George commended for sustaining the forum over 25 years. He said Ghana remains open to working with regional and global partners to build a secure and inclusive financial ecosystem for West Africa.
