Mandatory Certification Blocks Tech Talent

This provision requires all ICT professionals in both public and private sectors to obtain government certification before employment, with the Authority unilaterally determining criteria and procedures. Unlike OECD countries that certify only high-risk roles, this captures everyone from junior developers to support staff, creating a significant barrier to entry for Ghana's digital innovation ecosystem. The lack of defined criteria, appeal mechanisms, or timeframes creates regulatory uncertainty that chills career transitions into tech and disadvantages startups needing to hire quickly. By extending mandatory government certification to private sector employment—unusual in democratic jurisdictions—this provision gives the Authority gatekeeping power over the entire ICT workforce without procedural safeguards.