Accra: Mr. Abednego Bandim Azumah, the Chairman of the Information and Communication Committee of Parliament, has urged Parliament to update the country's data protection laws to address emerging tech challenges such as AI, cybersecurity, and data misuse by multinationals. "The current Act (843) from 2012 needs revision to address new challenges. Ghana must strengthen data protection laws to address emerging tech risks," he said.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Abednego Bandim, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, mentioned that the Data Protection Commission's bill was set to be presented to Parliament. This bill seeks to strengthen data protection laws and address concerns about multinationals collecting and storing Ghanaian data abroad. "Ghana must prioritise updating data protection laws to tackle tech challenges," he emphasized.
The call for legislative updates comes as the Commission celebrates Data Protection Month, raising awareness about the importance of data protection and the need for institutions to comply with regulations. The MP also urged Ghanaians to be mindful of their online activities and protect their personal data while calling on institutions to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
On his part, Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, Executive Director and Commissioner of the Data Protection Commission, stated that Ghana's Data Protection Commission was taking steps to address emerging tech challenges like AI, machine learning, and deepfakes. He cited key concerns, including data harvesting, lack of local infrastructure, and the necessity of ensuring global collaboration.
Dr. Kavaarpuo, addressing a section of the media in Parliament, reiterated that Ghana was introducing a new bill to regulate AI, automated decision-making, and cross-border data transfers. He emphasized that the Data Protection Commission was working with the Global Privacy Assembly to address data protection issues. "Data collection must be consensual, and individuals must know how their data is used," he said. The Executive Director stressed the need for accountability from AI platforms and the protection of Ghanaians' data rights.