Ghana Enacts New Data Protection Board to Bolster Secure Digital Development
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations in Ghana, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has tasked a newly constituted Governing Board of the Data Protection Commission (DPC) with the development of a national data governance framework. This framework is intended to establish a comprehensive system for safeguarding personal data in alignment with Ghana's emerging digital economy and AI strategies [1].
The DPC board comprises several key figures, including Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, who represents the Bank of Ghana, Ing. Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, the Acting Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, the Acting Executive Director of the DPC, Hon. Alexander Roosevelt Gabby Hottordze, Member of Parliament, Dr. Adonoo Patrick Lebene, Mr. Sena Kudjawu, and Mr. Salifu Suleman, who represents the National Communications Authority. Additionally, the board includes Dr. Joseph Whittal, a Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and Mr. David Maxwell Bessah, who represents the Ghana Statistical Service [1].
Ms. Teki Akuetteh, chair of the newly constituted DPC board, pledged the board's commitment to the Minister's vision for data protection as a core pillar of Ghana's digital future. The board understands the weight of their responsibility and is ready to get to work immediately [2].
The Data Harmonization Act, which aims to consolidate national data silos into a secure, centralized data exchange platform, is a key focus of the new data governance framework. The Act also seeks to harmonize Ghana’s data laws with regional standards like the ECOWAS Supplementary Act on Personal Data Protection, facilitating cross-border trade and collaboration [1][5].
The framework is designed to strengthen enforcement of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) through empowered monitoring and penalties, promote public awareness about data rights and responsibilities, and encourage infrastructure development such as secure, cost-effective local data centers via public-private partnerships [1].
By fostering stakeholder engagement across the private sector, academia, and civil society, the governance framework helps balance national interests with global competitiveness, crucial for leveraging AI and digital technologies responsibly [1][3]. Although Ghana currently does not enforce strict data localization or cross-border transfer restrictions, the DPC ensures that international recipients of Ghanaian data meet equivalent protection standards, supporting data flows essential for AI development and digital services [5].
The swearing-in ceremony for the new DPC board took place on a Wednesday [2]. The board's work is crucial for providing a robust regulatory environment, building trust in digital services, encouraging investment in data infrastructure, and aligning with regional and international data protection norms to facilitate innovation and economic growth [1][3][5].
References:
- GhanaWeb
- Myjoyonline
- Ghana Business News
- Modern Ghana
- Ghanaian Times
- To fortify Ghana's digital future, the Data Protection Commission (DPC) board, comprising representatives from various sectors, is committed to developing a national data governance framework that integrates technology, cybersecurity, and data-and-cloud-computing, focusing on safeguarding personal data and promoting compliance with regional standards and AI strategies.
- As part of the national data governance framework, the Data Harmonization Act aims to establish a secure, centralized data exchange platform, strengthen enforcement of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), and encourage public-private partnerships for infrastructure development, such as secure local data centers, enabling responsible leverage of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
