The Data Protection Commission is notifying all Universities in Ghana to use UG as a case study, to be compliant with Ghana’s Data Protection law to secure the personal data of their Data subjects to avoid sanctions stipulated under the law.
It will be recalled that The University of Ghana School of Public Health had commenced a research study known as the Accra Urban Adolescent Nutrition study which was made public in October 2021 and sought to describe the nutritional status, dietary intake, physical activity patterns, and food environment of about 1,000 Data Subjects.
The Data Subjects were from communities in Chorkor, Abelemkpe, South La, New Mamprobi, Achimota, Old Nungua, West Legon, Kokomlemle, New Town, and Nungua.
The Executive Director for Data Protection Commission (DPC), Ms Patricia Adusei-Poku said, as part of the process to collect the data, the Data subjects were required to wear a fixed belt with an accelerometer and GPS that will track their physical activity and movement trajectories throughout the study.
She said the Commission has followed steadily the progress being made by the University and can confirm that the University has made great efforts toward being accountable to the public.
She cautions all universities in Ghana to take notice of this and take the important step to register with the Commission and follow due process by complying with section 28 of the Act to avoid sanctions which the law clearly states to include prosecution.
Story by: Prince Baffour Asamoah
