The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has signalled a tougher regulatory stance in 2026, warning that institutions that fail to comply with Ghana’s data protection laws will face sanctions.

Speaking at the launch of Data Protection Week 2026 in Accra, the Executive Director of the Commission, Dr Arnold Kavaarpuo, said the year would mark a shift toward stricter enforcement of the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). He explained that the Commission will intensify compliance monitoring and regulatory actions to ensure that data controllers and processors operate within the law.

“2026 will be a year of enforcement. The Data Protection Act emphasises compliance requirements for lawful data processing, and it also provides consequences for non-compliance,” Dr Kavaarpuo said.

He noted that the law prescribes sanctions, including fines and imprisonment, for institutions and individuals who fail to meet their legal obligations under the Act.

Dr Kavaarpuo, however, stressed that the Commission’s enforcement drive is not motivated by punishment alone, but by the need to strengthen public confidence in the handling of personal data, particularly as Ghana’s digital ecosystem continues to expand.

“Our objective is not to punish for the sake of it, but to ensure that everybody can live confidently, knowing that their data is collected and processed with the right systems in place,” he added.

For his part, the Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the Commission’s enforcement mandate.

He said the ministry would collaborate closely with the DPC to strengthen compliance across state institutions and private organisations, adding that effective data protection is essential to Ghana’s digital transformation drive.

Mr Sukparu, who is also the Sissala Member of Parliament (MP), emphasised that safeguarding personal data is critical to maintaining public trust in digital services and ensuring the long-term success of the country’s digital economy.

Data Protection Week is an annual initiative organised by the DPC to promote awareness, education, and compliance with Ghana’s data protection framework. The programme brings together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to discuss responsible data collection, processing, and storage in an increasingly digital economy.