President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo as the Acting Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).
With nearly two decades of experience in fintech, data protection, and consumer finance, Dr. Kavaarpuo is expected to bring strategic leadership to Ghana’s data governance landscape.
Dr. Kavaarpuo has been a key advocate for privacy rights, previously serving as President of the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals (GAPP).
He has played a major role in shaping financial and digital inclusion policies, contributing to initiatives like the Ghana Integrated Financial Ecosystem (GIFE) and the Ghana Cashlite Roadmap.
Dr. Kavaarpuo has worked with telecom and banking giants to develop mobile lending products like QWIKLOAN, XpressLoan, and AhomkaLoan—expanding access to microcredit for millions of Ghanaians, particularly on MTN.
He has also worked with international organisations, including insight2impact, a South African-based Mastercard and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded project focused on improving how financial data is leveraged for decision-making by policymakers and financial service providers.
Beyond fintech, Dr. Kavaarpuo has held governance roles at Brac Savings and Loans, Jumo, Kuda, and other financial institutions, influencing digital finance and policy decisions across Africa.
As head of the DPC, Kavaarpuo is set to push for stronger data governance, regulatory enforcement, and public education to ensure businesses and public agencies uphold responsible data practices.
