The Right to Information (RTI) Commission in Ghana is optimistic about resubmitting its revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to Parliament by the end of 2026. This L.I. aims to address implementation gaps in the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) and enhance the Commission's regulatory framework. According to Stephen Owusu, General Manager of the Legal Department of the RTI Commission, the regulations have undergone necessary consultations and processes but were stalled in Parliament in 2024.
The RTI Commission had engaged stakeholders and met with Parliament's Committee on Subsidiary Legislation before the process was suspended. Owusu mentioned that if not for the hold-up in Parliament towards the end of 2024, the L.I. would have passed. The Commission now needs to restart parts of the process due to the introduction of a new Board, although stakeholder consultations do not need to be repeated. This development has caused a delay, but the Commission is working to incorporate concerns raised by the new Board.
The RTI Commission is currently incorporating concerns raised by the new Board and is hopeful that the revised L.I. will be sent back to Parliament through the Attorney-General before the end of the year. Owusu expressed positivity about this process, noting that the current Attorney-General was previously the Chairman of the Committee and is well-versed in the regulations for the L.I. This background knowledge is expected to facilitate a smoother process.
The proposed L.I. includes provisions to enhance the Commission's authority and give it stronger enforcement powers. According to Owusu, these provisions are intended to give the Commission more biting force through the L.I. This development is expected to improve the Commission's ability to regulate and enforce the Right to Information Act effectively.
The RTI Commission has announced the commencement of Right to Information Month 2026, with various activities scheduled throughout September to promote public awareness of the right of access to information. The annual celebration aims to promote the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) and deepen public understanding of citizens' rights and responsibilities under the law.
This year's celebration is themed "Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder." Activities for the month include media outreach programs, radio and television interviews involving Commission officials in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28. These activities aim to engage the public and promote awareness about the importance of access to information.
The month-long activities will culminate in a Stakeholder Conference on September 24, bringing together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, civil society organisations, the media, academia, traditional authorities, and development partners. The conference will focus on developing practical recommendations to address information disorder, promote meaningful public participation in decision-making, and explore measures to strengthen information integrity within Ghana's digital information ecosystem.
Key points
- The RTI Commission hopes to resubmit its revised Legislative Instrument to Parliament by the end of 2026.
- The proposed L.I. includes provisions to enhance the Commission's authority and give it stronger enforcement powers.
- The RTI Commission is celebrating Right to Information Month 2026 with various activities to promote public awareness of the right of access to information.
