President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance.
The Act empowers citizens to scrutinize public institutions and officeholders, fostering greater civic engagement in the governance process.
In a statement read on his behalf by the Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum, at the opening of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Accra on Tuesday, he highlighted Ghana’s strides in advancing access to information, particularly through the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2019.
He also noted the government’s commitment to enhancing civic education, so citizens can fully exercise their rights.
These efforts, he said, are part of a broader agenda to dismantle bureaucratic barriers that inhibit the free flow of information.
He stated, “I am determined to ensure no Ghanaian is left behind in this information age. It is through participation that they can make their leaders accountable.”
However, the President acknowledged that more work needs to be done, pledging the government’s continued dedication to making access to information a priority in public sector reforms.
He said, “Mainstreaming access to information and participation in the public sector activities must move beyond merely passing laws. We must embed access to information into the very fabric of our public sector institutions. Public officials must recognize that information is not their property to withhold but a public good to be shared freely.
“Our government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies must proactively make information available, not just in response to requests but as a matter of course.”
The President called on government agencies, civil society, the media and the private sector to collaborate in promoting a culture of openness and transparency across Ghana.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
