Experts from ECOWAS Member States gathered in Accra, Ghana, from November 18 to 19, 2024, to validate the draft revised Supplementary Act A/SA.1/01/10 on Personal Data Protection within the region. The workshop aimed to enhance and harmonize data protection frameworks across West Africa.
The original Supplementary Act, adopted in 2010, required updates due to changes in the digital landscape. The revisions aim to ensure that legal frameworks are robust and aligned with international standards while considering the unique context of West Africa.
Ms. Patricia Adusei-Poku, Executive Director and Commissioner of Ghana’s Data Protection Commission, delivered welcome remarks emphasizing progress made by ECOWAS Member States in establishing data protection frameworks. She urged representatives to ensure that the revised act reflects an African perspective on data privacy.
Ms. Folake Olagunju, Acting Director for Digital Economy and Post at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted personal data protection's role in regional growth and sustainability on behalf of Mr. Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation.
Statements were also made by Ms. Chantal Lahmer from the German Embassy in Ghana and Ms. Anna Lixi from the European Union Delegation to Ghana. Both reaffirmed support for development cooperation with ECOWAS and its Member States. Dr. Vincent Olatunji officially opened the workshop as Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission CEO.
The revision was coordinated by the ECOWAS Directorate of Digital Economy and Post with support from the EU and Germany's BMZ under the Data Governance in Africa initiative facilitated by GIZ African Union.
The revised act will be presented at a future meeting of ECOWAS Ministers responsible for Telecommunications, ICT and Digitalisation for approval. Once adopted, it will mark significant progress in harmonizing data protection across West Africa.
Alerts Sign-up