Banjul, 10th March 2025: The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, in partnership with the Access to Information Commission, Thursday, March 6th gathered stakeholders at Metzy hotel to validate the newly developed Institutional and Governance Framework for the anticipated Information and Data Protection and Privacy Commission.
The exercise is funded by the World Bank through the Digital Transformation for Africa/Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme (WADIP).
The Institutional and Governance Framework aims to establish a robust legal and institutional foundation for the full-scale implementation of the ATI & PDPP instruments to ensure the responsible handling of information, protection of the privacy rights of data subjects, and foster transparency and accountability. It also aims to empower individuals, enhance public trust, and promote effective governance through clear operational guidelines and practices.
At the opening of the validation workshop, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Fanding Kinteh, made a remark on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. He began by welcoming the participants and expressed gratitude to the Digital Transformation for Africa/Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Programme for their financial and technical support.
He reminded the gathering that the validation exercise was preceded by a technical review by a team of experts led by the consultant.
Mr Kinteh informed that the Ministry, together with stakeholders and partners had developed Personal Data Protection and Privacy Bill, which is currently being scrutinized by the National Assembly for possible enactment. He said once the bill is enacted it will provide for the metamorphosis of Information Commission into Information and Data Protection and Privacy Commission; hence the relevance of the governance framework.
The DPS finally urged the participants to thoroughly review the document and enrich it with their expertise and valuable insights.
The Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission, Madam Neneh Maduoall Gaye also thanked the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services for its leadership and WADIP for its financial and technical guidance.
She acknowledged that the framework will reshape and reposition the commission, and enhance its operational capability once the data protection and privacy matters are incorporated into their work.
Project Coordinator of WADIP, Serign Omar Lowe, thanked all stakeholders for their interest and dedication to the cause of the programme. He noted that data and information are complementary, emphasizing that it is important for everyone to take time to find out how their data is being utilized.
He urged for the promotion of better practices in data governance and personal data management.
In reference to the institutional and governance framework, Mr Lowe said it is an important starting point to have an operational document on how our data will be collected, processed and used.
Governance Framework for Prospective Information & Data Protection Commission Validated
