The Data Protection Commission, under the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, on the 15th of September,2025, launched a public awareness campaign themed “Privacy is Personal.” The campaign aims to educate individuals, organizations, and institutions about their rights and obligations under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), and also enhance collaboration among the government, private sector, academia, and civil society to shape Ghana’s privacy and data protection agenda. It will also create awareness and drive enforcement to ensure that individuals understand their rights as data subjects and organizations fulfill their legal obligations.

Deputy Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Honorable Mohammed Adams Sukparu, highlighted the importance of embedding trust, accountability, and transparency in Ghana’s digital development. “This is crucial for our AI economic growth ambition,” he emphasized, recognizing the achievements of Certified Data Protection Officers trained under the Ministry’s one million coders program and Certified Data Protection Supervisors who aim to promote compliance and data privacy.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Arnold Kavaarpo, the Acting Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, emphasized that privacy is a constitutional right enshrined in Article 18 of the 1992 Constitution. Therefore, the Commission will implement a manpower base initiative to create awareness and drive enforcement.  He also stated that the Awareness campaigns will be conducted from September 16, 2025, to September 2026, including community town hall meetings, media forums, and public education in local languages.

The Data Protection Commission is a regulatory body established under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) to oversee data protection in Ghana.

The Commission’s primary role is to protect individuals’ privacy and personal data by regulating the processing of personal information, promoting awareness, and enforcing compliance with data protection laws.

President of the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals, Mr. Emmanuel Gadasu, reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s data protection framework. “We aim to ensure that organizations prioritize the security and privacy of individuals’ data, positioning Ghana as a leader in privacy matters,” he stated.

With a focus on building trust in the digital age and positioning Ghana for future technological advancements, the Data Protection Commission is developing a new act that reflects current market needs, underscoring its mandate to protect individuals’ privacy and personal data through trust, transparency, and transformation.

by Roberta Nuerkie Tetteh