Five companies operating in the Kaneshie Industrial Area and Tudu enclave have been hauled to the Police CID for operating without a valid Data Protection Certificate on Day 3 of the Data Protection Commission’s nationwide compliance crackdown, while retail giant Melcom Ghana has been commended for taking steps to renew its license and training data protection supervisors.
Addressing the media after the exercise, Mr. Akrobetu said the Commission visited six institutions.
“Today is day three of the data protection compliance crackdown. Today we have visited six institutions, all within the Kaneshie industrial area and then one around the Tudu market,” he said.
Polytex, J.A. Biney, Qualiplast and Menkish Impex Operating Without Certificate
Giving a breakdown, he said the team first visited Polytex Industries Limited.
“They unfortunately have been within the space for some time now, but have no knowledge about data protection. They couldn’t provide any valid certificates to support their processing activities. So as we speak, they are not compliant, and the police CID actually has invited them to the cybercrime unit in order for them to put out a statement why they haven’t registered,” he said.
He noted that the company has expressed willingness to comply.
The team then proceeded to J.A. Biney Packaging and Qualiplast.
“They have also been within the streets for a very long time and know nothing about data protection. As we speak, they are not registered, but they have also agreed to put out the right processes immediately in order to be compliant. The police have equally invited them to report to the CID head office tomorrow,” Mr. Akrobetu said.
He said Qualiplast was equally ignorant about data protection and has no valid certification, but has pledged to put measures in place and will report to the CID tomorrow to write its statement.
Bara-Gah Company Operated 30 Years Without Registration
The enforcement team also visited Bara- Gah Company Limited, an oil and gas company.
“They have also been in the space for the past 30 years and do not have a valid data protection certificate. They are yet to be registered and they have been invited both to the police CID headquarters and also to the Data Protection Commission to do the needful,” he disclosed.
Melcom Commended, Menkish Impex LTD Expired Since 2019
The situation at Melcom Ghana was described as encouraging.
“The situation at Melcom is very encouraging, I must commend. The management of Melcom, as we speak, they are in the process of renewing their license. They have appointed one as their main data protection supervisor as required under Section 58. They are training three professionals. After their training on Friday, they will quickly do whatever is required for them to be fully compliant. At least this demonstrates that they take data protection seriously,” Mr. Akrobetu said.
The last institution visited was Menkish Impex Limited.
“They couldn’t trace their data protection certificate but per the records of the Data Protection Commission, they are registered, expired in 2019 and abandoned their renewal process. We have asked them to report to the Commission immediately to do the needful,” he said, adding that the CID has invited them to explain why they do not have a valid certificate.
Exercise To Continue Into Next Year
Mr. Akrobetu assured Ghanaians that the exercise will be sustained.
“The message is that this exercise continues. Tomorrow, we will visit other locations and institutions and inspect their compliance with the Data Protection Act under Section 81 of the Act. We want to assure Ghanaians the Commission is doing everything possible to ensure that institutions that we give our personal information to, take their privacy seriously.”
“We are also assuring the public that this exercise will continue beyond this week even into next year and they can expect serious data protection audits of all institutions in this country,” he added.
By Sampson Kumah Sampson Elvis
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