🌐 Examples

In 2016, Ghana’s Statistical Service (GSS) developed a national data roadmap, which underscored three priorities: addressing data gaps, encouraging data use, and strengthening the data ecosystem. A meeting was convened at the sidelines of the Data Roadmap Forum in April 2017 to bring together GSS, the National Communications Authority, and Flowminder. A follow-up meeting between GSS, Flowminder, and Vodafone Group Foundation was then arranged in the UK in June 2017. This resulted in bringing Vodafone Ghana on board in July 2017 and the launch of a collaborative data partnership, the Data for Good Project. 

The project’s starting phase focused on strong organizational engagement, facilitated by technical managers to secure executive mandates following an established business case. This was followed by the development of technical and legal frameworks, enabling the successful implementation of the first phase (2019-2021) and leading to a second phase (2021-2023), while a sustainability plan to ensure continued impact is now being established.

❗Tips

✅ If international agencies have played a role in previous steps, they can also assist here. However, it is best for national organizations to make the necessary arrangements and call in support from international stakeholders merely as a supporting expert body.

✅ The NSO should lead this process on behalf of the other public sector stakeholders involved, including the regulator, end users, and data protection authority. As part of its remit, the NSO should consult with all stakeholders, ensure their interests and concerns are represented in conversations with operators, and bring them into the process as needed—either to address concerns or provide support for the project.  

✅ While a bilateral meeting is easier to set up, a multilateral meeting with all operators is the preferred choice for an open and transparent approach. Keep in mind that all operators might not have the same level of knowledge—or pre-existing support—for the project. While the discussion should address all concerns, it’s important not to let the most risk-averse stakeholders dominate the conversation.

✅ Ensure all parties are well-prepared for the meeting with clear agendas, presentations, and supporting documentation. Ensure that all decisions and agreements made during the meeting are formally documented. This task falls on the project lead, i.e. the NSO.

✅ Foster a collaborative and open dialogue to address any remaining concerns and build consensus among all stakeholders.

✅ Proactively address potential roadblocks and develop contingency plans. Utilize the findings from the workshop discussions and external examples.

⏩ Next actions

  • Discuss with the regulator whether a meeting should be called by the regulator or by the NSO directly.

  • Call an executive meeting to agree on the remaining critical points in data sharing and agree on steps to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

  • Create an early draft of an MoU and share it in advance of the meeting.

  • Hold the meeting.