Efforts to strengthen data protection and digital rights across the continent have received renewed attention as the PICCASO Awards Africa honoured individuals and organisations championing privacy and responsible technology use.

This year’s ceremony highlighted the growing importance of safeguarding citizens’ data in an increasingly digital landscape, with Ghana’s Parliament emerging as the winner of the Outstanding Data Protection Organisation award.

The event celebrated transformative initiatives enhancing how data is managed, secured, and protected across Africa, signalling a collective effort to elevate standards in digital governance.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jeanine McKelvey, co-founder of Women in Law and Data and a member of the PICCASO advisory board, underscored the need for stronger collaboration in the field of data protection.

“So, PICASO is all about creating a community where people who are passionate about these issues can come together, they can create networks, they can also collaborate on papers and articles and bring information together and share it on topics that are critical in this space,” she said.

Also addressing the gathering, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, emphasised the need to reinforce Ghana’s regulatory framework to ensure accountability and effective data oversight.

“But one of the key things that came out today is the fact that we need to strengthen our Data Protection Commission. And I share this with you because a lot of the things that we're doing in multiple sectors, not just in the communication and technology sector, all ride on data. And the privacy of that data and who is actually using and managing that data is very critical,” he said.

In an interview with JoyNews, the Deputy Clerk and Data Protection Officer of Parliament, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu who received the award on behalf of the institution, noted that the acknowledgment reinforces the need for state actors to demonstrate compliance with existing laws.

“I must say that we, Parliament, passed the law. The Act 843, we passed it. And so I think it's just leadership by example that we don't just pass laws, but we are compliant, we obey. And as we do it, it means that all government agencies will follow in our stead,” she stated.

Some award recipients told JoyNews that the recognition will further inspire investment, innovation and commitment toward strengthening data privacy across Africa.

With digital adoption accelerating across the continent, the PICCASO Awards continue to spotlight the institutions and professionals working to secure Africa’s data ecosystem, helping build a future grounded in trust, accountability and responsible technology use.