The Data Protection Commission (DPC) yesterday launched a national awareness campaign to protect and promote the data privacy of Ghanaians.
The initiative, held under the theme “Privacy is Personal”, also saw the inauguration of the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals (GAPP) and the presentation of certificates to Certified Data Protection Supervisors (CDPS) and Certified Data Protection Officers (CDPO) trained under the One Million Coders Programme.
Launching the campaign in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, commended the Commission for its efforts in safeguarding the privacy rights of citizens and laying the foundation for Ghana’s ambition to become Africa’s hub for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.
He said building trust was central to Ghana’s digital economy agenda, stressing that “data is the fuel of AI, and unless citizens are confident that their personal information is handled responsibly, adoption will falter.”
The Minister explained that personal data had become one of the most valuable assets of the modern era, underpinning services in finance, healthcare, education, e-commerce and governance. While this created opportunities, he said, it also posed risks if privacy and security were not prioritised.
Mr Sukparu said the National Privacy Awareness Campaign would be rolled out in all 16 regions, empowering individuals to protect their personal information while ensuring that organisations complied with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). He also announced that Privacy Awareness Week 2026 would serve as a flagship annual programme to consolidate education efforts.
The Executive Director of the DPC, Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo, said the campaign was the most extensive privacy education drive in Ghana’s history, targeting every Ghanaian through television, radio, billboards, social media and community outreach.
He said it would run in English and local languages to ensure nationwide accessibility.
Mr Sukparu emphasised that data governance was not merely about avoiding penalties but about building public trust, which he described as the most valuable currency in the digital age.
He reminded organisations that under Section 27 of the Data Protection Act, no entity could process personal data without registering with the DPC.
Dr Kavaarpuo also noted that more than 800 data protection officers had been trained this year alone, strengthening Ghana’s capacity for digital trust and positioning the country as a regional leader in responsible data governance.
President of GAPP, Emmanuel Gadasu, said the Association would provide a professional platform for practitioners to share knowledge and uphold high standards. He stressed that privacy was a human right and that Ghana must lead Africa not only in technology adoption but also in ethical, human-centred use of data.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
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