Ghana’s DPI drive and the current data privacy and security system
Many countries including Ghana are fast adapting to digitization initiatives to leverage the benefits that come with an effective and efficient digital public infrastructure.
Digital identity systems, digital and instant payment systems and data exchange setups are becoming essential. These initiatives are key to making life easier for ordinary citizens, but they come with associated risks. The potential to have people’s personal data breached and compromised frightens many who are slow to welcome digitization initiatives.
Deborah Mensah, a banker is bombarded with unsolicited text messages from online vendors and politicians.
“I’ve lost count of the number of messages I get from advertisers. I keep wondering how they got my number because more often than not, I’ve never heard of them before. I remember prior to the elections I got messages from some of the candidates telling me to vote for them. It was very annoying,” Ms. Mensah explained.