By: Rachel Kakraba
The Right to Information Commission has launched the 2025 RTI month and its fifth anniversary, with a focus on deepening transparency on environmental issues.
Themed RTI @ 5, “championing transparency and accountability through access to environmental information in a digital era, it will contribute to shaping national discourse and promoting civic engagement with regard to the environment, at a time where the world and especially Ghana is confronted with environmental challenges.
Speaking at the event Deputy Executive Secretary of the Commission, Genevieve Shirley Lartey ESQ, recognized that in an era where environmental concerns shape national and global conversations, and where digital innovation also transforms governance access to information has thus become an indispensable tool for inclusion, sustainability and development.
“This theme is significant because it not only speaks to our five year journey of advancing transparency and accountability, but also aligns with the global focus on ensuring access to environmental information and embracing the opportunities of the digital age”
She said the celebration offers an opportunity for reflection and recommitment to the mandate of the commission.
“Today we take a moment not only to celebrate our progress, but also to recommit ourselves to the mandate that birthed this commission. Since its establishment in October, 2020, under Act 989, the RTI Commission has worked diligently to promote and enforce the constitutional rights of access to information in Ghana”
Adding on “our annual Right to Information Month has become a hallmark of this commitment, educating citizens, engaging stakeholders, and culminating with the global observers of the United Nations International Day for universal access to information”
Madam Lartey, pledged the commitment of the Commission to advance the right of access to information. She called on all to be a part of fostering a governance that thrives on openness, accountability and empowerment through right to information to deepen the country’s democratic gains.
In a remark the Deputy Board Chairperson, Elizabeth Asare, said the commission remains resolute in providing the public with information on diverse issues aimed at promoting transparency and accountability.
“We know that with the establishment of the commission, there has been transparency and accountability, especially from public institutions which have had to give out information. Even though they haven’t been willing to, but now we know that with the Act we can get whatever information we want”
She touted achievements of the commission over the past five years, while upholding its independence. Mrs. Asare, encouraged the public to use the law in accessing information.
“We want to encourage the media, we want to encourage the public to continue to use the Act to see what information they can get from public institutions because they are responsible to give us the information. The information is ours, it is our tax money that creates the information and therefore we should be able to get what we want to be able to do the work that we do”
She mentioned some challenges, confronting the commission as logistical and financial constraints as well as inadequate staff strength. Mrs. Asare, hinted that the commission would extend operations to other regions including Central and Volta to ensure information becomes more accessible to the populace.
“We started from scratch with nothing, inaugurated on the 19th of October, 2020 without an office. An office has been established, we have also established offices in Ashanti, Bono and Upper East regions. Central Region will come on stream, Volta Region will also come on stream, and then we would look at zoning the nation. So that even if we don’t have offices everywhere, because we are cash strapped, we would have offices where other regions will go to the zone heads to be able to get the information they need.
The Commission encouraged institutions to undertake proactive disclosure especially on their websites to reduce the number of requests. Activities lined up for the celebration include civic engagements, stakeholders’ conferences and team building service.
The Right to Information Commission sees to the implementation of the Right to Information Act. The RTI ACT 989 promotes transparency and accountability by empowering people to access information on central and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations. Since its establishment in October 2020, the RTI Commission has worked to promote citizens’ right to access public information, resolve complaints, and guide institutions on compliance with the law.
