Think about how we sign these agreements – Sam George warns over health data
Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Sam Nartey George has urged closer scrutiny of agreements involving Ghana’s health records.
The Ningo-Prampram MP is warning that assurances from foreign technology companies may not guarantee control over sensitive data.
Speaking at Joy News’ Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy on Wednesday, he questioned whether contractual promises could protect Ghana’s information from access under foreign laws.
His warning comes as Ghana disagrees with the United States over data-sharing provisions in a proposed health compact.
“The last point I just want to make is about the use of foreign resources and even the perception of a tailored arrangement that gives you sovereignty over your data,” he said.
“That is a mirage that is sold to many African companies, not just Ghanaian companies.”
Mr George said his concerns had prompted exchanges with Google and Amazon Web Services over the protections offered in their agreements.
“So 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 argued that the US CLOUD Act could override assurances made by private technology companies. He linked that concern directly to how Ghana’s health information is handled.
He urged decision-makers to examine both the agreements they sign and the platforms they use.
“Especially when you look at what they try to do with our health records, extremely important that we begin to think about how we sign this agreement and how we utilise those platforms.”
Ghana rejected the proposed US health compact after raising concerns about health data, financing obligations and regulatory authority. President John Mahama said the terms included access to Ghana’s pathogen profile and medical records.
The US Embassy disputed the suggestion that Washington sought identifiable patient records. It said the proposed arrangement required aggregate health data without personally identifiable information, mainly to assess health programmes.
The proposed compact involved $109 million in US assistance over five years. Mahama later said Washington had requested further discussions on the contested clauses, with a view to amending or removing them.
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