Accra statement – let’s talk about data access!

To assess the recent Accra Statement on harnessing the power of data, the African Alliance on Access to Data brings you this imagined dialogue:

Kwami: This Accra Statement is quite interesting. Seems like they are really pushing for unlocking data as a public resource, especially in Africa.

Adimu: Yes, absolutely! The statement strongly emphasizes that open data is crucial for both development and a strong democracy. It sees access to data as a fundamental right, an extension of the right to information.

Kwami: That makes sense. But isn’t there a lot of talk about data privacy these days? How does the statement address that?

Adimu: It acknowledges concerns around data privacy. And highlights the need to balance open access with the protection of personal information and other sensitive data. They talk about adhering to ethical principles, best practices, and privacy laws. One challenge they point out is the lack of harmonized data protection laws across different African countries, which makes cross-border data sharing tricky.

Kwami: I can see how that would be a problem. But if they manage to overcome these challenges, what kind of impact do they envision?

Adimu: They believe that open data can lead to a lot of positive changes. For instance, help journalists conduct better investigations and hold those in power accountable. And empower citizens to participate more actively in governance and decision-making processes. And, of course, access to data can be a powerful tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kwami: Sounds pretty promising, but realistically, how do they plan on making all of this happen?

Adimu: The statement calls for collaborations. They stress the need for governments, civil society organizations, private companies, and international institutions to work together. They also highlight the importance of investing in data literacy and digital skills training, given the shortage of data professionals in Africa.

Kwami: Well, that seems like quite an ambitious undertaking.

Adimu: It is! But the statement clearly shows a strong commitment to harnessing the power of data for positive change. It calls for open data initiatives, policies that promote transparency, and collaboration to find solutions that leverage data for the greater good. Definitely a vision worth striving for.

(Created in part with NotebookLM.)

• Access the full Accra Statement on Harnessing the Power of Data, adopted at the global UNESCO global conference in Accra in October 2024, here.