Ghana’s Parliament Shines at PICCASO Awards Africa for Championing Data Protection

Ghana’s Parliament has been honoured with the Outstanding Data Protection Organisation award at this year’s PICCASO Awards Africa, a recognition that underscores the nation’s growing commitment to safeguarding digital rights and strengthening data governance.

Receiving the award on behalf of the institution, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, Deputy Clerk and Data Protection Officer of Parliament, highlighted the importance of state institutions leading by example.

“I must say that we, Parliament, passed the law — Act 843. And so I think it’s just leadership by example that we don’t just pass laws, but we comply. As we do it, it means that all government agencies will follow in our stead,” she stated.

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders championing privacy, responsible technology use, and improved data management across the continent.

According to her, the honour serves as further motivation to invest in innovation and strengthen Africa’s data protection landscape.

With digital adoption expanding rapidly across Africa, the PICCASO Awards continue to recognise the individuals and institutions working to secure the continent’s data ecosystem and promote a future built on trust, accountability and responsible tech use.

Jeanine McKelvey, co-founder of Women in Law and Data and a PICCASO advisory board member, emphasized the importance of collaboration in the field of data protection.

“PICCASO is about creating a community where people passionate about these issues can come together, collaborate, and share critical information,” she said.

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, also underscored the need to reinforce the country’s regulatory framework.

“We need to strengthen our Data Protection Commission… The privacy of data and who is managing it is very critical,” he noted.

This year’s awards highlighted transformative initiatives shaping the way data is managed, secured and protected across Africa—marking a collective push toward higher standards in digital governance.