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The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched an investigation into how patient data was accessed and managed by Lightwave eHealthCare Solutions under its previous contract with the Ministry of Health for the National Electronic Medical Records and Patient Management System. The move follows ongoing controversy surrounding the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS), which the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has accused the vendor of deliberately shutting down over disagreements on a new maintenance agreement. According to the minister, the government had insisted that Lightwave hand over all patient data and grant full administrative access to the state before signing a new service contract — a demand the company reportedly rejected, triggering a shutdown that has disrupted operations in several hospitals nationwide. In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the DPC said the investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Cyber Security Authority, and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA). The Commission explained that the probe aims to ensure that all personal health data is being handled securely and in full compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). According to the statement, the scope of the investigation will cover data storage, management practices, and compliance with legal requirements on processing, retention, and security, with a focus on protecting the rights of data subjects. The DPC noted that it will engage all relevant stakeholders, including Lightwave eHealthCare Solutions and its partners, and assured that the process will be transparent and guided by due process. It further reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding sensitive health information and maintaining public trust in Ghana’s digital health systems.
