The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) commemorated its Fifth Anniversary yesterday by hosting a high-profile Stakeholders’ Conference in Accra, urging key actors to redouble efforts towards greater national transparency. Held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, the event was themed: “RTIC @ 5: Championing Transparency and Accountability Through Access to Environmental Information in a Digital Era.”
The conference drew prominent attendees, including the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and featured addresses from government and Commission leadership.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, delivered a forceful address, challenging the RTIC to ensure that the constitutional provision of the Right to Information becomes a “living reality for every Ghanaian.”
Dr. Ayine pressed the Commission to look beyond legislative compliance, insisting that the right to information must translate into tangible, accessible outcomes for the ordinary citizen. He commended the RTIC’s robust public sensitization campaigns and collaborative engagements with public institutions.
Furthermore, the Attorney-General urged the body to maintain its spirit of innovation and resilience in tackling operational hurdles, ensuring that transparency is deeply embedded in Ghana’s governance structure.
In her presentation, the Executive Secretary and Commissioner of the RTIC, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., provided a detailed account of the Commission’s journey and strategic outlook. She acknowledged that the RTIC has made significant strides in advancing its mandate despite operational difficulties, including limited financial support and logistical challenges.
Lartey noted the success in strengthening institutional compliance frameworks and training a large pool of Information Officers across the public sector. She highlighted that these interventions have resulted in a measurable increase in public requests for information, a clear indication of growing public awareness and confidence in the system.
She reaffirmed the Commission’s strategic vision, emphasizing a firm commitment to embracing digital transformation to broaden access and foster citizen empowerment. Shirley Lartey stated, “We are committed to deepening digital access, enhancing institutional transparency, and utilizing technology and data to realise our vision of equitable access to information,” directly linking the Commission’s future strategy to the theme’s focus on the digital era.
Also addressing the gathering was the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye. The Minister unequivocally stated the government’s unwavering support for the RTIC’s work, which he characterized as integral to strengthening democratic integrity and public trust.
Ofosu Kwakye stressed that the administration views the Commission as a critical partner in promoting a culture of openness across all public service sectors. He pledged the government’s commitment to ensuring the RTIC is adequately resourced and that public institutions adhere strictly to the Right to Information Act, thereby supporting citizen empowerment and holding power to account.
Story: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
