On June 20, 2025, over 20 staff members from PDA and PDA Africa participated in a critical training session facilitated by representatives from Ghana’s Data Protection Commission. Running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the session emphasized the importance of confidentiality in safeguarding the information and stories we handle both on and off the field.
The main objectives of the training session were to:
- Deepen participants’ understanding of the core requirements of Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).
- Identify how data protection principles apply to PDA’s research, field operations, and community engagement.
- Equip staff to apply good data-handling practices across PDA’s operational units, including REL, PDA Africa, and the Advocacy & Communications Unit.
Some key lessons drawn from the objectives include:
- Legal compliance is essential. Staff must be aware of and operate within the requirements of the law to avoid legal issues.
- Data protection is practical and contextual. The principles are not abstract; they directly apply to research, fieldwork, and community engagement.
- Consistency across units is critical. Good data-handling practices should be applied across all PDA operational units to ensure a unified standard of confidentiality and protection.
- Good practices reduce risks. All PDA units need to use measures such as two-factor authentication to prevent threats like hacking and ransomware. Accountability in handling sensitive information is equally important.
Through video case studies and practical exercises, the training gave staff a clear picture of how data protection applies in real-life situations. It helped participants connect the law to their daily work, making it easier to understand how to handle information safely, responsibly, ethically, and in full compliance with the law.
