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The Data Protection Commission has released new improved data recording and compliance software to improve data collection in the country.
The move to launch the new registry is influenced by the growing number of breaches of data protection laws that seek to unite all data processing companies under one law.
Speaking at the launch, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful revealed that the country is getting closer to achieving its goal of digitizing the economy.
“In our emerging borderless and digitized economy, international cooperation, secure cross-border data processing and digital identification of people using the right tools and technology is critical.
“Ghana is currently one of the few countries to pass the Data Protection Act and establish a Supervisory Authority in Africa and was one of the first three countries to ratify the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Protection of Personal Data, the Malabo convention, “he added.
Of the more than 60,000 data collection companies registered in the General Register, only about 20,000 have been certified and licensed as data collection institutions.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful hinted that Ghana will be ahead of its counterpart on the African continent when it comes to protecting the data of its citizens, a move that will enhance the data harmonization agenda for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
“To this end, Ghana will lead the continent in the quest to harmonize data from companies operating in the continental free trade market,” he said.
The Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Patricia Adusei-Poku, expressed concern that many companies have not yet registered with the commission despite various commitments.
Meanwhile, the Communications Minister also announced a six-month amnesty period for all data controllers who were unable to register to do so.
