The Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR) engaged stakeholders in the digital sphere with a program aimed at improving Ghana’s global digital inclusion and ensuring the stability, security, and reliability of the internet ecosystem in the country. The meeting included both state and private sector players in Ghana’s internet ecosystem, including the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Cybersecurity Agency, the Registrar General’s and the Attorney General’s Departments, and Ghana Dot Com.
The meeting was also designed to discuss the need for and modalities towards developing a scheme of provisional registrars for Ghana’s country-code top-level domain, such as .gh and .com.gh.
Operationalizing Ghana’s domain name registry
The GDNR is mandated to manage Ghana’s country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) space, including the licensing and regulation of registries and registrars. However, work to operationalize the registry as legislated took off in 2018. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the program, Nana Kofi Asafu-Aidoo, Executive Director, GDNR, noted that “these engagements are crucial parts of Government’s program to operationalize the country’s domain name registry.” The program’s goal is to develop a vibrant and thriving internet ecosystem for Ghana.
Benefits of local domain registration
Mr. Richard Boateng, IT Applications Manager at NIITA, said Ghanaian business entities would derive some advantages from having their domain names registered locally. He noted that the country had established a more rigorous requirement for registrants, including evidence of business name registration by the Registrar of Companies, among others.
The IT Applications Manager said, “Ghana’s domain name registration scheme is designed to build trust in every domain and also in order to eliminate occurrences of disputes among entities over domain names.” He said unlike domain names registered abroad, locally hosted domains would boost local content and eliminate the need to route local internet traffic abroad. He, therefore, encouraged Ghanaian businesses, other entities, and individuals to register their domains locally.
Ghana’s internet ecosystem
Ghana’s internet ecosystem includes the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Cybersecurity Agency, the Registrar General’s and the Attorney General’s Departments, Ghana Dot Com, and the Ghana Domain Name Registry (GDNR). The GDNR was established under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772), and mandated to manage Ghana’s country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) space. The development of a vibrant and thriving internet ecosystem is essential to Ghana’s global digital inclusion, ensuring the stability, security, and reliability of the internet ecosystem in the country.
Developing a scheme of provisional registrars
The meeting aimed to deliberate on the need for, and modalities towards developing a scheme of provisional registrars for Ghana’s country-code top-level domain, such as ‘.gh,’ and ‘.com.gh.’ The program is designed to build trust in every domain and eliminate disputes among entities over domain names. Unlike domain names registered abroad, locally hosted domains would boost local content and eliminate the need to route local internet traffic abroad.
Final Thoughts
Ghana’s efforts towards developing a vibrant and thriving internet ecosystem are commendable. The country recognizes the importance of digital inclusion in promoting economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for its citizens. The introduction of a scheme to support the establishment of provisional registrars for Ghana’s country-code top-level domain is a step towards enhancing local content and ensuring the stability, security, and reliability of the internet ecosystem in the country.
By encouraging local domain name registration, the GDNR is promoting inclusivity in the digital sphere and creating opportunities for individuals, businesses, and institutions to leverage digital technologies to drive innovation, growth, and development.
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