Public and private institutions have been urged to deepen collaboration with the Data Protection Commission (DPC) to uphold the principles of Ghana’s Data Protection Act as the country accelerates its digital transformation.

Mohammed Adams Sukparu, the Deputy Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, said investments in digital identity systems, mobile money platforms, e-government services and emerging technologies could only thrive when citizens had confidence of a lawful, transparent, and secure handling of their data

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Data Protection Week in Accra on Monday, Mr Sukparu said trust remained central to Ghana’s digitalisation agenda, warning that weak data protection practices could undermine progress in digital innovation.

“We encourage all institutions to work closely with the Commission to uphold the principles of the Data Protection Act,” Mr Sukparu said.

The 2026 Data Protection Week celebration, which commenced on Monday, is on the theme: “Your Data, Your Identity: Building Trust in Ghana’s Digital Future.”

Mr Sukparu said government recognised the evolving risks associated with increased data collection and processing, particularly in sectors such as finance, health, education and telecommunications.

For that reason, he said, government remained committed to supporting the DPC through policy backing and institutional cooperation to strengthen compliance and promote responsible innovation.

“Government remains committed to supporting the Data Protection Commission in carrying out its mandate, strengthening compliance across both the public and private sectors, and promoting responsible innovation,” he said.

Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo, the Executive Director of the DPC, said the expansion of this year’s Data Protection Week reflected the reality that data protection was no longer a niche regulatory issue.

“It is one that directly affects everyday activities such as mobile money usage, healthcare delivery, digital identification and access to online services,” he said.

“Every Ghanaian interacts with personal data on a daily basis, often without realising it. Whether you are sending money, accessing healthcare or using a digital government service, your personal information is being processed.”

Dr Kavaarpuo emphasised that protecting personal data was central to safeguarding dignity, autonomy and public confidence in digital systems.

“Trust in Ghana’s digital future can only be sustained when both citizens and institutions act deliberately to protect personal data. Data protection is not just about compliance; it is about respect for the individual,” he noted.

In 2025, the Commission carried out its largest public data protection awareness campaign since its establishment, reaching an estimated 25 million people nationwide.

Dr Kavaarpuo said the Commission also expanded data controller registrations, conducted compliance audits across multiple sectors and trained more than 800 data protection professionals to support organisations in meeting their legal obligations.

The Commission, he said, would embark on rigorous enforcement of the Data Protection Act this year, warning that the law provided clear penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for non-compliance.

“Our objective is not to punish for the sake of it, but to ensure that people can live confidently, knowing their data is collected, stored and processed with the right systems, safeguards and accountability structures in place,” he explained.

Mr Emmanuel Gadasu, President of the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals, underscored the link between data protection and citizen trust, describing personal data as an extension of individual identity.

He urged organisations to view compliance with the Data Protection Act not as a regulatory burden, but as a strategic advantage that enhanced credibility and competitiveness.

“Trust is the non-negotiable currency of our digital future,” he noted.

Activities lined up for the month-long celebrations include nationwide public education campaigns and stakeholder engagement initiatives aimed at translating awareness into sustained compliance and behavioural change.

It will be climaxed by a National Data Protection Conference scheduled for February.