Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo Appointed as Acting Executive Director of The Data Protection Commission of Ghana
The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has appointed Dr. Arnold Kavaarpuo as the Acting Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission (DPC).
Dr. Kavaarpuo is a seasoned fintech operator, data protection practitioner and consumer finance expert with nearly two decades of experience in digital financial services, regulatory compliance, and strategic governance. He has been a strong advocate for privacy rights and is committed to fostering a secure and transparent data ecosystem that protects citizens while enabling businesses to thrive in Ghana’s digital economy.
Before this appointment, Dr. Kavaarpuo served as President of the Ghana Association of Privacy Professionals (GAPP), leading efforts to strengthen privacy frameworks and data governance policies in Ghana and across Africa. Concurrently, he was also teaching at the NIBS Univeristy, where he taught Innovation, Strategy, Change Management, and Organizational Behavior to MBA and professional students.
He has played a key role in shaping financial and digital inclusion policies, contributing to major initiatives like the Ghana Integrated Financial Ecosystem (GIFE) and the Ghana Cashlite Roadmap, which aim to expand access to digital financial services.
Dr. Kavaarpuo is a firm believer in the power of public and private digital infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, financial inclusion, and innovation. He recognizes that data protection is the foundational layer that ensures trust, security, and compliance within Ghana’s evolving digital economy. Under his leadership, the Data Protection Commission will continue to advocate for strong data governance, ethical data use, and responsible innovation.
Dr. Kavaarpuo has been at the forefront of transformative digital financial services, working closely with telecommunications companies and large commercial banks to develop QWIKLOAN, Ghana’s first and most successful mobile lending product. This was followed by XpressLoan and AhomkaLoan. As Country Director at Jumo, he led product rollouts and expansion to over 4.6 million customers, facilitating GHS 12 billion in disbursements and making digital credit more accessible to millions of Ghanaians. His expertise in consumer finance and digital credit has significantly advanced financial inclusion in the country.
Beyond his fintech achievements, Dr. Kavaarpuo has held key governance roles across financial and technology sectors. He has served on the boards of Brac Savings and Loans, Jumo, Kuda, and the Fixed Income Alpha Plus Fund, bringing his expertise to the strategic growth of financial institutions and technology-driven initiatives. He has also worked with international organizations, 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.
His contributions have earned him significant recognition, including being named a two-time honoree of the 50 Young CEOs of Ghana Award, celebrating his impact in fintech, financial services, and leadership.
A New Chapter for Data Protection in Ghana
As Acting Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Dr. Kavaarpuo is set to drive policy reforms, public education, and regulatory enforcement to strengthen data privacy rights in Ghana. His vision is to ensure that businesses, financial institutions, and public agencies embrace responsible data governance, creating a balance between innovation, security, and individual privacy.
