Data Protection Commission (DPC) celebrates Data Protection and Privacy Day on 28th January

Data Protection Commission (DPC) celebrates  Data Protection and Privacy Day on 28th January and Data Protection Week commencing 28th January. The Data Protection Commission is pleased to announce participation in Global Data Protection Week, from 28th January to 1st February 2019, with national activities scheduled throughout the week under the theme “A New Chapter in Enforcing Accountability and Empowering Data Subjects.”

More and more of our personal data is being used in electronic form and shared at speed and in high volumes across all business sectors, including civil society, making it difficult to control. Personal data is any information that uniquely identifies a living individual such as name, date of birth, identity numbers (NHIS, DVLA), biometric data etc.

Personal data in the wrong hands can cause great harm, damage and distress, which is why it is important that measures are put in place to safeguard personal data from accidental loss, unauthorized disclosure and unlawful use.

The right to privacy is globally accepted as a fundamental human right. Data Protection Week offers a valuable opportunity to inform and empower people in Ghana (known as Data Subjects) of their Rights under the Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) and how to exercise these Rights; including how to seek redress such as compensation.

Businesses that process people’s personal data (known as Data Controllers) will gain insight into their obligations under the Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843); which include registering with DPC and renewing every 2 years to enable support and guidance from DPC. Failure to do so could result in enforcement action.

Activities taking place across the country to celebrate Global Data Protection Week 2019 include: