Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo, a Digital Governance and Financial Infrastructure expert, has led a delegation from the Data Protection Commission (DPC) on a courtesy call to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, ahead of the 2026 Data Protection Conference.
The conference is scheduled to take place from February 26 to 27, 2026, and the visit also served as a formal invitation to the Speaker to attend the event as Special Guest of Honour.
During the meeting, the delegation commended Parliament for its leadership role in advancing compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) within the public sector. They specifically acknowledged Parliament’s registration with the Commission and the appointment and training of certified data protection supervisors to oversee compliance within the institution.
Discussions also centred on deepening and institutionalising data protection practices across the wider public sector. Both sides emphasised the need to move beyond basic regulatory compliance towards fostering a sustainable culture of responsible data stewardship in public institutions.
The engagement further touched on the Open Parliament Initiative, with participants highlighting the importance of aligning transparency, citizen engagement and digital innovation with strong privacy and data governance frameworks.
In his remarks, Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions and building public trust in the country’s digital transformation agenda. He underscored the importance of protecting personal data, particularly as public sector services become increasingly digitised.
The 2026 Data Protection Conference is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, industry players and other key stakeholders to discuss emerging trends and strategies for safeguarding personal data in Ghana’s evolving digital landscape.
