The Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC), Genevieve Shirley Lartey, has revealed that public requests for information increased by 47 per cent in 2024, reflecting growing citizen engagement and trust in the right to information system.
The increase, she explained, was the result of intensified public sensitisation campaigns, training of information officers across public institutions and the commission’s sustained efforts to ensure compliance with the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
"The steady rise demonstrates that more Ghanaians are becoming aware of their constitutional right to access public information and are exercising it to demand accountability and transparency from state institutions," she said.
She made this known at the commission’s 5th Anniversary Stakeholders’ Conference held on October 23 in Accra, which also marked the launch of RTI Month 2025 on the theme: “Championing Transparency and Accountability through Access to Environmental Information in a Digital Era”.
The event brought together the Chief of the Ga State, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, traditional rulers, government officials, civil society representatives, development partners and members of the media to celebrate five years of promoting transparency and accountability through access to information.
Digital accesss
Ms Lartey said the Commission was now prioritising digital access to make information retrieval quicker and more inclusive.
“Our focus going forward is to leverage technology to make access to information faster, simpler, and more inclusive.
Through our digital platforms, we aim to eliminate barriers that prevent citizens, especially those in remote communities, from exercising their right to know," she stated.
She explained, however, that despite the gains made, some public institutions still delayed responses to information requests.
“While we have made significant progress, some public institutions are still slow in responding to information requests.
The commission will continue to enforce compliance and ensure that no agency treats the right to information as optional. It is a legal obligation,” she added.
That notwithstanding, Ms Lartey said the growing number of requests reflected a positive cultural shift towards accountability.
“The increase shows that Ghanaians are no longer passive consumers of information.
They are asking questions, demanding accountability and shaping governance through active participation.”
Commendation
In his address, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, commended the RTI Commission for advancing open governance and strengthening democratic accountability, stressing that transparency was the bedrock of good governance and citizen empowerment.
“Access to information is not a privilege , it is a fundamental right that strengthens democracy and deepens accountability,” he said.
Dr Ayine added that in an era of rising environmental challenges, openness in resource management was more crucial than ever.
He said, “No country can achieve sustainable development in secrecy.
Transparency is the foundation of responsible environmental management.”
Resilience
For his part, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to openness and timely disclosure of information.
“Access to information is the heartbeat of accountable governance. It ensures citizens can question, understand and contribute to national development," he said.
He highlighted the Government Accountability Series as a key platform for transparency.
