The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has declared 2026 as the year of “full-scale enforcement,” warning that public and private institutions processing personal data without legal registration face severe sanctions, including heavy fines and potential imprisonment.
At the launch of Data Protection Week 2026 and a Meet-the-Press briefing, the Executive Director of the Commission, Arnold Kavaarpuo, stated that the period of advocacy has transitioned into a strictly regulatory phase.
He noted under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), all data controllers are mandated to register with the Commission to ensure that the personal information of Ghanaian citizens is handled with transparency, security, and accountability.
“Clause 27(1) requires every data controller intending to process personal data to register with the Commission. This obligation is reinforced under Clauses 46(3) and 53, with penalties including fines and imprisonment prescribed under Clause 56. There will be no exemptions; the law is clear, and we will ensure it is upheld”
Arnold Kavaarpuo, Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission
The DPC’s tougher stance follows a year of extensive public education in 2025, which reportedly reached an estimated 25 million people across the country.
Despite these efforts, the Commission continues to observe a “trust deficit” in the digital economy, characterized by unauthorized digital loans, the improper disclosure of health records, and the unlawful reuse of personal information.
Mr. Kavaarpuo emphasized that the 2026 enforcement drive is not merely punitive but is a critical measure to protect individual autonomy and strengthen Ghana’s position as a secure digital hub in Africa.
Digital Identity Ecosystem
The government voiced its full support for the DPC’s enforcement agenda. Deputy Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Mohammed Adam Sukparu, noted that the success of Ghana’s investments in digital identity, mobile money, and e-government systems depends entirely on public confidence.
As personal data becomes the primary “fuel” for economic participation, the Ministry views strict compliance with Act 843 as a non-negotiable requirement for any entity operating within the national digital framework.
To facilitate this shift, the DPC has deployed a new digital registration platform and introduced the Data Protection Privacy Seal. This verifiable electronic certificate allows citizens and partners to confirm an institution’s compliance status in real-time, effectively separating legitimate data controllers from non-compliant actors.
The Commission noted that it has expanded its traditional Data Protection Week into a month-long national program. Running from late January, the initiative will culminate in the National Data Protection Conference scheduled for February 25 and 26, 2026, in Accra.
Under the theme “Your data, your identity: Building trust in Ghana’s digital future,” the conference will bring together global privacy experts and local stakeholders to harmonize data standards with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocols.
“Trust is non-negotiable in an economy where data increasingly determines access to finance, jobs, and public services. When data is misused, it is more than a privacy breach; it is an attack on a person’s ability to participate in the economy. We call on the media and the judiciary to join us in holding non-compliant institutions accountable for their actions”
Arnold Kavaarpuo, Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission
The Commission also highlighted significant gains from 2025, including the successful training of over 800 Data Protection Officers (DPOs).
Mr. Kavaarpuo explained that these professionals are expected to serve as the internal “compliance anchors,” within organizations, ensuring that the eight core principles of data protection – including data minimization and security safeguards – are embedded into every business process.
“The DPC has strengthened its capacity through nationwide audits and the deployment of verifiable certificates. 2026 will see the Commission take authorized action against those who breach the law”
Arnold Kavaarpuo, Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission
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