Farmer Programme Privacy Policy

Who we are and what this policy covers

ABLE ecosystems PBC (“ABLE”, “we”) runs this farmer programme and is responsible for the information described here. We are based at 30 Albany Ave, Kinderhook, NY 12106, USA. You can reach us at hello@ableecosystems.com or on WhatsApp at +1 260 297 4252.

This policy covers farmers in Ghana who agree, on ABLE’s paper consent form, to receive phone calls and WhatsApp messages from us. In those calls and messages we ask questions about you, your household and your farm. We handle your information in line with Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).

Information we collect

We collect only what you give us on the consent form and in your calls and messages with us:

• From your consent form: your name, mobile phone number, mobile network, whether you share your phone, your WhatsApp number, how and when you prefer to be contacted, your preferred language, the consent choices you ticked, your signature or thumbprint, and the date.
• From calls and messages: your answers to our questions about you, your household and your farm, such as farm size, crops, harvests and farming practices.
• Call recordings: if you agree, we record calls so your answers are written down correctly.
• Contact records: when we called or messaged you, and any request you make to stop, get help, or see, correct or delete your information.

How we use your information

We use your information only to:

• contact you by phone or WhatsApp in the ways you agreed to;
• understand farmers’ needs and plan support;
• keep a record of your consent and of any request to stop;
• answer your questions and requests.

We use your information because you gave us your consent on the paper form, as Act 843 requires. You can withdraw your consent at any time (see “Your rights” below). We do not use your information for advertising.

Calls and WhatsApp messages

• Sender: calls and WhatsApp messages come from +1 260 297 4252, a US number, and identify ABLE.
• Message frequency: message frequency varies. We call and message between 9am and 5pm (Ghana time), Monday to Friday.
• Cost: answering our calls is free. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile phone plan.
• Automated calls: some calls may be made by an automated voice assistant (a computer voice) instead of a person.
• Recording: calls may be recorded, if you agreed, so your answers are written down correctly.
• Stop: reply STOP on WhatsApp, say “stop” during a call, or tell your farm guide. We stop within 2 working days and may send one message confirming you will not be contacted again.
• Help: reply HELP on WhatsApp to +1 260 297 4252 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or email hello@ableecosystems.com.

ABLE will never ask you for money, your PIN or your Mobile Money details. If someone does, it is not us.

Who we share your information with

We do not share, sell or provide your mobile phone number or your messaging consent and opt-in data to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We do not sell your information to anyone.

We share information only in these cases:

• Service providers that run our phone, WhatsApp, voice and data storage systems for us. They act only on our instructions and may not use your information for their own purposes.
• Summary results that do not name or identify you, for example totals or averages across many farmers.
• When the law requires it, for example a valid request from a court or regulator.

Where your information is kept and how we protect it

ABLE is based in the United States, and some of our service providers are in the United States and other countries outside Ghana. Your information may be stored and processed there. We use only providers that commit to protecting it, and we apply the same care wherever it is held.

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information against loss, misuse and unauthorised access. Only people who need your information for this programme can see it. Signed paper consent forms are scanned and the originals are stored securely.

How long we keep your information

We keep your information, including your signed consent form and call recordings, for 3 years after we collect it, then delete it. If you ask us to stop contacting you, we keep only your phone number and the date you opted out, so we do not contact you again by mistake.

Your rights

Under Act 843 you can, at any time and free of charge:

• ask to see the information we hold about you;
• ask us to correct it if it is wrong;
• ask us to delete it;
• withdraw your consent or object to us using your information, and stop all calls and messages.

To use any of these rights, tell your farm guide, send a WhatsApp message to +1 260 297 4252, or email hello@ableecosystems.com. Withdrawing consent will not affect your place in any ABLE programme or any payment or support due to you.

If you are unhappy with how we handle your information, you can complain to Ghana’s Data Protection Commission at dataprotection.org.gh.

Age limit

This programme is only for people aged 18 or older. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have, we delete it.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy. We will post the new version on this page with a new effective date, and we will ask for your consent again before using your information in a new way.

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