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Data Protection Expert and Chief Executive Officer of Information Governance Solutions (IGS), Madam Sylvia Appiah has disclosed that, Non-compliant Data Controllers/business organizations will be in hot waters as Ghana’s Data Protection Commission has begun aggressive enforcement of the Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) this month of August 2023.

As Ghana is scaling up efforts to create a safe digital economy, she said it cannot be over emphasized that as part of the inherent nature of technology issues relating to data subject rights and data controller responsibility requires a legal framework which ensures that data subject privacy rights are not violated in the pursuit of implementation of technology by data controllers.

The Data Protection Act outlines what constitutes lawful processing, exempt processing, the scope and duties of data controllers, data processors, the Data Commissioner, and data balances the need to ensure privacy rights with the rights of the State to remain inviolable, maintain law and order, function effectively, and protect its citizens effectively.

Madam Sylvia Appiah cautioned data controllers to make data protection requirements a priority to avoid losing money; her advice comes as the Data Protection Commission has begun an aggressive enforcement of the country’s data protection laws.

She urged institutions to reach out to the Information Governance Solutions, an organization accredited with the Data Protection Commission to be assisted with registration and training.

Madam Appiah also noted there was a shortage of data professionals globally, making the training of practitioners crucial, in order to equip them to deliver on their mandate

The widely publicized enforcement action saw the arrest of officials of companies such as Hisense Group Limited, Mawarko Fast foods, Quick Credit Microfinance & Investment Limited and Agyabeng Akrasi &Co with a lot more others under the radar.