Data Protection & Privacy
Handle personal data lawfully under Ghana's Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843): collect less, keep it safe, respect people's rights and act fast when a breach happens.
What you'll learn
- Recognise personal data and special personal data in the documents, systems and conversations you handle at work
- Explain the main duties in the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), the eight data protection principles and the role of the Data Protection Commission
- Choose a lawful basis for processing and write consent wording that is clear and honest
- Cut down forms and processes so they collect only the data they need, and apply sensible retention and disposal rules
- Respond correctly when a person asks to see, correct or stop the use of their data
- Share data with suppliers, partners and other institutions, in Ghana and abroad, with the right checks in place
- Apply safe habits with WhatsApp, email, printouts, screenshots, CCTV and Ghana Card numbers
- Spot a data breach, contain it quickly and report it through the right channels
Who this course is for
- HR, payroll and administration staff who keep employee records
- Customer service, sales and marketing teams who collect and use customer details
- Health workers, records officers and front desk staff who handle sensitive information
- IT, records and information security staff who support data systems
- Public servants in MDAs and MMDAs who collect data from citizens
Course content
6 sections · 29 lessons · 4h 17mStart here 3 lessons · 14 min
Module 1: What counts as personal data 5 lessons · 43 min
Module 2: The law, the Commission and the eight principles 6 lessons · 54 min
Module 3: People's rights, keeping records and sharing data 5 lessons · 47 min
Module 4: Privacy at your desk and what to do when data leaks 6 lessons · 54 min
Final module: Putting it all together 4 lessons · 45 min
Before you start
- No legal background is needed
- You should be working in, or preparing for, a role where you see or handle information about customers, staff, patients, students or members of the public
- Have your organisation's data protection or ICT policy to hand if you can get it, so you can compare
About this course
Every day you touch other people's information. A job applicant's CV, a patient's folder, a customer's Ghana Card number, a pensioner's bank details, the CCTV footage at the gate. Most data protection failures in Ghanaian workplaces start with a well-meaning officer who forwards a staff list to the wrong WhatsApp group, leaves printouts at the photocopier, or photographs an ID card with a personal phone.
This course is for everyone who handles personal data at work: HR, customer service, marketing, sales, health, IT, finance, front desk and public service staff in ministries, departments, agencies and assemblies. It explains the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) and the role of the Data Protection Commission in plain language, then turns the law into habits you can use on a normal working day.
You will learn what counts as personal data and special personal data, the eight data protection principles, when you need consent and when another lawful ground applies, what rights people have over their data, how long to keep records and how to dispose of them, and how to share data safely with suppliers and partners, including those outside Ghana. The last module covers the everyday risks (WhatsApp groups, screenshots, printouts, CCTV, ID cards) and walks you through spotting, containing and reporting a data breach.
The course uses Ghanaian workplace stories, branching scenarios and short activities. You finish with a personal action plan and a certificate once you pass the final assessment. It does not replace your own organisation's policy, so we point you to the questions to ask about it.
Your instructor
SkillsPillar Faculty
Practitioners and trainers in strategy, public service, enterprise and workplace compliance
SkillsPillar courses are written by practitioners who have trained graduates, managers, public servants and business owners across Ghana. Every course is built around real situations, practical tools and activities that test judgement, not memory.
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Frequently asked
How do I pay for a course?
Pay securely with MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash, AT Money, Visa or Mastercard through Hubtel. You get access straight after payment.
How long do I have access?
For life. Once you enrol, the course stays in your account and you can learn at your own pace, including any updates we make.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. Finish every lesson in a course and a certificate is issued automatically. Each one has a QR code and a public link employers can use to check it.
Can I learn on my phone?
Yes. Everything works on a phone, tablet or computer, and your progress follows you between devices.
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