The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic A. Ayine, has urged the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) to ensure that access to information becomes a practical reality for every Ghanaian, rather than just a legal provision.

“The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) must remain at the forefront of Ghana’s democratic progress, ensuring that access to information becomes not just a legal provision but a lived reality for every citizen,” he stated.

Dr Ayine (seventh from right) with Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (middle), Ms Lartey (fourth from left) and other dignitaries
after the opening ceremony Photo: Victor A. Buxton

Dr Ayine was addressing stakeholders in Accra at the RTIC’s fifth anniversary stakeholders’ conference on the theme: “RTI at 5: Championing Transparency and Accountability through Access to Environmental Information in a Digital Era.”

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice stressed that the essence of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) was to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance—values that can only be achieved when the public accesses information without barriers.

He also urged the Commission to bring to public notice the existential threat the nation faces from environmental degradation, particularly from illegal mining and deforestation.

“Transparency in environmental governance allows citizens to understand the impact the Commission makes in disseminating environmental information, as a central pillar of its awareness campaigns,” he emphasized.

Dr Ayine commended the Commission for its numerous public education initiatives, cooperative engagements with institutions, and other efforts. He urged the Commission to remain innovative and resilient in fulfilling its mandate.

He further entreated the Commission not to allow its Five-Year Strategic Development Plan, titled “Pathway to Open and Transparent Governance,” to remain a document on the shelf but to make it a living blueprint that guides its operations toward measurable outcomes.

The Executive Secretary and Commissioner of RTI, Ms Genevieve Shirley Lartey, said that despite limited funding and logistical challenges, the Commission had made commendable strides by training hundreds of information officers, strengthening institutional frameworks, and providing continuous technical support to public institutions to ensure that Ghanaians were aware of the Act.

Ms Lartey stated that the Commission’s interventions have led to a steady increase in public requests for information, reflecting growing awareness and trust in the system.

She added that despite existing challenges, the Commission remained determined to realise its vision of ensuring equitable access to information.

Ms Lartey emphasized that the Commission was committed to deepening digital access, enhancing institutional transparency, and fostering citizen empowerment through technology and data.