The Ministry of Communications and Digitalization (MoCD) in collaboration with Smart Africa, today held a workshop aimed at finalizing Ghana’s National Data Strategy.
The workshop brought together experts, government officials, and international partners to discuss and align on the strategic objectives and implementation measures for the strategy.
The Data Protection Commission is the event implementing agency on behalf of the MoCD and supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
It is focused on the importance of data governance, technical infrastructure, and capacity building. Participants included representatives from various sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to data management and digital transformation.
Mrs. Patricia Adusei-Poku, Executive Director of Data Protection Commission (DPC) outlined the day’s agenda and objectives.
She emphasized the importance of aligning the strategy with Ghana’s long-term National Development Plan and medium-term policy frameworks.
Over the course of the day, the workshop covered the conceptual framework, strategic objectives, and key activities necessary for the successful implementation of the data strategy.
Key highlights included discussions on updating the legal framework to keep pace with technological advancements, enhancing technical infrastructure, and promoting inclusivity in data usage.
Participants also explored ways to improve data privacy and protection, establish data centers, and encourage the adoption of cloud services.
Talla Ndiaye, Director of the Digital Transformation Program at Data-Pop Alliance, presented insights from other countries’ experiences in developing data strategies.
He highlighted the importance of a well-structured strategy, backed by robust data governance and technical support, to drive digital transformation in Ghana.
A major outcome of the workshop was the recognition of the need for a collaborative approach to empower regulatory bodies. This includes capacity building, updating laws, and fostering partnerships among different sectors to ensure effective data management.
The workshop also addressed the practical aspects of incident reporting and the importance of creating a supportive environment for compliance. By developing mechanisms to encourage reporting and collaboration, the regulatory bodies can better protect data and enhance cybersecurity.
Participants expressed their commitment to finalizing a comprehensive and actionable National Data Strategy.
The Ministry of Communications and Digitalization, along with its partners, aims to use the insights gained to draft a strategy that reflects the needs and priorities of Ghana’s data ecosystem.
The workshop will continue tomorrow with the participation of the Minister of Communications and Digitalization.
In attendance were Directors and staff of the MoCD, Mr. Gaspard Datondji, the Deputy General Secretary of the Ministry of digital Benin , representatives from the National Communications Authority(NCA) and Cyber Security Agency(CSA), representatives of the office of the Head of Civil Service and various sectors.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
