Ghana

Moderate

Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843)

Authority: Data Protection Commission | Enforcement: Active | Enacted: October 2012

Overview

Ghana enacted the Data Protection Act in 2012, establishing the Data Protection Commission. The law covers consent, data subject rights, and registration of data controllers. The Commission actively registers data controllers and issues guidance.

14-Topic Coverage

Data Protection Authority

Fully Addressed

Data Protection Commission oversees registration, complaints, and enforcement.

Data Subject Rights

Fully Addressed

Rights to access, correction, and deletion.

Cross-Border Transfer

Fully Addressed

Transfers to countries with adequate protection or with appropriate safeguards.

Breach Notification

Partially Addressed

No explicit statutory requirement. Commission guidance recommends notification.

DPO Requirements

Partially Addressed

Data controllers must register with the Commission. No formal DPO role.

Children's Data

Partially Addressed

General provisions apply. Children's Act provides some protections.

Penalties & Enforcement

Fully Addressed

Fines up to GHS 24,000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years.

Sector-Specific Rules

Partially Addressed

BOG financial data rules, NCA telecom regulations.

AI & Automated Decisions

Not Addressed

No specific provisions on automated decisions.

Data Localisation

Not Addressed

No general data localisation requirement.

Significant Data Fiduciary

Not Addressed

No equivalent concept.

Government Data

Partially Addressed

Act applies to government processing with national security exemptions.