Ghana RTI Commission: 2026 RTI Month Kicks Off Public Awareness Drive

• The Ghana RTI Commission launched its 2026 RTI Month on September 1, with activities across four cities culminating on September 28.
• The annual initiative aims to promote the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) and deepen public understanding of information access rights.
• This year's theme, 'Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age,' addresses information disorder and will be a key focus of a stakeholder conference on September 24, 2026.
• Executive Secretary Genevieve Shirley Lartey confirmed the program, which includes extensive media outreach and stakeholder engagement.
• The Commission urges public institutions to enhance proactive disclosure and fully comply with their obligations under Act 989.

The Commission urges public institutions to enhance proactive disclosure and fully comply with their obligations under Act 989, reinforcing the collective responsibility in upholding information integrity in the digital age in Ghana.

The Ghana Right to Information (RTI) Commission commenced its 2026 RTI Month on September 1, initiating a series of awareness activities across four key cities: Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga. This annual commemoration is scheduled to run until September 28, with an overarching goal to bolster the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), and to enhance public understanding of the fundamental right to access information.

Executive Secretary Genevieve Shirley Lartey confirmed the month-long program in a statement, noting that it would begin with extensive media outreach. This initial phase includes radio and television interviews featuring officials from the Ghana RTI Commission in each of the four designated cities, aiming to reach a broad audience and set the stage for subsequent engagements.

A core objective of the RTI Month is to deepen public awareness and understanding of the right of access to information, which is recognized as a fundamental entitlement for every individual to seek and receive information, subject only to legally prescribed limitations. Section 45 of Act 989 explicitly mandates the Ghana RTI Commission to promote and sustain public awareness regarding this right, requiring collaboration with state institutions and other relevant bodies for public education initiatives.

The planned media engagements are designed to facilitate interaction with stakeholders, thereby clarifying the respective responsibilities of both public institutions and citizens under Act 989. This annual observance serves as a crucial platform for engaging citizens and key stakeholders, highlighting the vital role of information access in fostering transparency, accountability, inclusive participation, and robust good governance within Ghana.

This year's celebration is anchored by the theme: 'Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.' This focus underscores the contemporary challenges of misinformation and disinformation, positioning access to accurate information as a critical countermeasure. The month-long schedule of activities will culminate on September 28 with the observance of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), a day proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

A significant event during the month will be a Stakeholder Conference slated for September 24, 2026. This conference will convene a diverse group of participants, including representatives from ministries, departments, and agencies; metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies; civil society organizations; media; academia; traditional authorities; and development partners. The gathering is expected to generate practical recommendations for tackling information disorder, promoting meaningful public participation in decision-making, and exploring strategies to strengthen information integrity within Ghana's evolving digital information ecosystem. Additionally, the Commission will conduct internal staff engagements and team-building exercises to cultivate a motivated and cohesive workforce capable of effectively fulfilling its statutory mandate.

The Ghana RTI Commission has issued a clear directive to all public institutions, urging them to enhance their proactive disclosure practices and ensure full Ghana Right to Information Act 2019 compliance with their obligations under Act 989. This emphasis on Act 989 public institutions obligations is central to the Commission's efforts to embed a culture of openness and accessibility across government entities.

Beyond public institutions, the Commission has extended an invitation to academia, development partners, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to actively participate in and support its initiatives. Furthermore, it has called upon media organizations and civil society groups to continue their vital role in championing the right of access to information and promoting its widespread dissemination, reinforcing the collective responsibility in upholding information integrity in the digital age in Ghana.

Lawyers advising public institutions or compliance officers within them should note the Ghana RTI Commission's renewed emphasis on strengthening proactive disclosure practices and full compliance with Act 989. This includes a focus on upholding information integrity in the digital age, suggesting a need to review digital information management and access protocols.

Source: Original reporting via The Ghanaian Times