Ghana urges protection of data on 1,964 evacuees
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Ghanaiantimes
Ghana’s Data Protection Commission has asked parliamentarians, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the media to protect the personal information of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa. It says disclosure of their names, signatures and financial assistance could expose them to fraud and identity theft, under the Constitution and the Data Protection Act, according to its statement of 20 October 2026.
Ghana’s Data Protection Commission has called on the parliamentary minority caucus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media outlets to protect the personal data of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa. In a statement issued on Tuesday 20 October 2026, it raised concerns about the disclosure of their names, signatures and financial assistance records.
The Commission warns that publishing this information could expose those concerned to identity theft, fraud and other harm, particularly if their safety is at risk. It recalls that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution protects dignity and privacy, and that the Data Protection Act 2012 governs the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
The body recognises the importance of transparency, parliamentary oversight, the right to information and press freedom, but stresses that these principles do not automatically justify the unrestricted publication of personal data. It says the legality of disclosures must be assessed in light of their purpose and respect for privacy rights. The Ministry and Parliament’s registration as data controllers does not exempt them from their legal obligations.
The Commission has asked the parties concerned to immediately restrict access to the information in the public domain or remove it where continued disclosure is not legally justified. It plans a regulatory review to determine whether publication had a legal basis, what safeguards were applied and whether the evacuees’ rights were respected. It may take action if an offence is established.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
