Mandatory Certification Gatekeeps Emerging Technologies

The Authority gains power to establish mandatory certification schemes for AI, blockchain, quantum computing, big data, and IoT technologies, while requiring accreditation of all cybersecurity professionals and service providers. When combined with the bill's penalties for engaging unaccredited professionals (16), this creates a government approval requirement before deploying innovative technologies—transforming the Authority into a gatekeeper that could delay or block technology adoption. This regulatory burden is particularly problematic for startups and innovators who typically rely on rapid experimentation and iteration, potentially stifling Ghana's digital innovation ecosystem by requiring government approval at every stage of technology development and deployment.