UGBS OMIS Department Organises Data Governance Lecture
The Department of Operations and Management Information Systems (OMIS) of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) on 23rd June 2025, held a Data Governance Lecture at R.S Amegashie Hall for the first cohort of BSc. Administration students specialising in Business Analytics. This was to familiarise students with the programme curriculum and opportunities. Prof. Anthony Afful-Dadzie, Head of the Department of OMIS, welcomed and encouraged students to pursue professional development opportunities beyond what is taught in class, noting that these seminars would contribute to their assessment.
Mr. Emmanuel Gadasu, Data Privacy Consultant, emphasised that data analysts must implement proper security mechanisms to protect sensitive information. Mr. Gadasu stated that individuals have specific rights under national and international data protection laws, including the right to access, correct, or delete their personal information. “Your role as a data analyst requires you to respect these rights and ensure the systems you help build incorporate them,” he noted. Mr. Gadasu urged data analysts to deliver accurate analysis and ensure that their data is secure and ethically managed. “Analytics without data protection is reckless. And data protection without insight is a wasted opportunity,” he stated.
Mr. Gadasu shared that proper data management builds trust, supports investment decisions, ensures legal compliance, and enhances professional credibility. He noted that analysts must not only produce correct results but also demonstrate the integrity of the data source, cleaning process, and methodology. Mr. Gadasu mentioned that data analysts do not just work with numbers but also with people’s lives, identities, and trust. Hence must understand the legal and ethical obligations that come with that responsibility. He also shared that analysts must ensure that even anonymised data cannot be easily traced back to specific individuals.
Miss.Gifty Adjei Dadebea has emphasised the importance of protecting personal data and understanding privacy rights in today’s digital age, especially in the era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Miss Dadebea highlighted the critical role of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) in national projects. She noted that DPIAs are conducted to ensure that the data collected from Ghanaians, such as during SIM registration, is properly protected both during and after the project’s completion. “These assessments help us determine how long the data will be stored, who can access it, and under what conditions,” she explained.
Miss Dadebea warned against casually agreeing to terms and conditions without fully understanding what they entail. “Many people just click 'agree' when they see a pop-up without reading the privacy notice. Doing so may give companies the right to access your data, including your photos, and use it in ways you may not be aware of,” she cautioned. She encouraged the students to become ambassadors of data privacy awareness.
Dr Abeeku Sam Edu, Department of OMIS acknowledged the speakers for their contribution to the seminar and appreciated the students for their participation.