The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr Samuel Nartey George (MP), has directed the Data Protection Commission to enhance its operations significantly. During his visit to the Data Protection Commission, he introduced the new Executive Director and outlined plans to develop the commission into an authority with a strong regional presence.
The minister stressed that Ghana must become a digitally inclusive and data-driven nation, citing the need for rigorous compliance and the development of in-house expertise to prevent a continual loss of skilled personnel to the private sector.
“Once you begin to drive compliance, the private sector will be looking for competent, skilled people. You must scale up to retain your staff, or else you become a conveyor belt, training people only to lose them to the private sector.”he said.
Additionally, he announced that a board will soon be established to monitor and implement this vision, aiming to ensure that all citizens can benefit from improved access to digital services and opportunities.
In his brief remarks, new Executive Director, Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, expressed his excitement about the tasks ahead and his commitment to working closely with the commission’s staff.
He was advised to make staff welfare a top priority and reassured the commission of the Ministry’s unwavering support for its expansion and long-term sustainability.
On the back of that he said, “I’m confident that together, we’ll achieve remarkable things. Let’s work collaboratively to establish a strong regional presence and prioritize innovation.”
Dr. Kavaarpuo also highlighted the Commission’s vital role in everyday life—affecting mobile usage, digital transactions, and online interactions. He pledged to intensify efforts in public education and stakeholder engagement to improve awareness and adherence to data protection standards.
He continued by saying, “Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey. We have a lot of work ahead, but I am encouraged by the energy and support in the room. We will build a strong, resilient data protection framework that will make a lasting impact across the country.”
