Transparency International Ghana (TI-Ghana) has called for stronger enforcement of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The organisation also urged enhanced accountability mechanisms to support anti-corruption efforts. These measures aim to improve transparency in governance across Ghana.
Weak implementation of existing laws continues to limit citizens’ access to public information. This undermines efforts to combat corruption, despite reforms in Ghana and other African countries. A study by TI-Ghana found persistent barriers to accessing public information, including details on high-profile corruption cases.
This push for transparency aligns with Ghana's broader efforts to improve governance and reduce corruption. The country has adopted various legal and institutional frameworks to combat illicit financial flows. However, the effectiveness of these measures relies heavily on their implementation and public participation. Data consistently shows that trust in public institutions increases with greater transparency.
Mr. Bright Sena Ayivi, Assistant Programmes Officer of TI-Ghana, made this call at a national advocacy engagement in Accra. The event was part of the 'Stopping Impunity for Corruption through Enhanced Accountability' (SICA) project. "As citizens, we often do not know what happens to corruption cases after investigations and prosecutions begin," Mr. Ayivi stated. He added, "This project seeks to build a database and a community of practice that will enable us to track such cases and ensure accountability."
The SICA project, a partnership between TI-Ghana and Transparency International Secretariat in Berlin, aims to address these challenges. It seeks to establish a community of practice across 11 African countries. This community will promote anti-corruption reforms and strengthen accountability systems. It will also improve the monitoring of high-level corruption cases.
The TI-Ghana study, covering Ghana, Liberia, and Togo, identified low public awareness of RTI laws as a key challenge. Knowledge and use of the RTI law remain largely concentrated among civil society organisations and journalists. Bureaucratic resistance, administrative bottlenecks, and delays in processing requests also hinder access. Fees associated with information requests present another barrier, especially for vulnerable citizens.
Many public institutions fail to proactively disclose information, releasing it only after formal requests. "We should not wait for citizens to demand information before making it available," Mr. Ayivi pointed out. He stressed that public information belongs to the people and should be proactively disclosed. Inadequate digital infrastructure and poor internet connectivity further limit access, particularly in remote communities.
Some public officials perceive information requests as personal attacks instead of legitimate exercises of citizens’ rights. Mr. Ayivi recommended continuous training for information officers to improve understanding of the RTI regime. He also called for strengthening the enforcement powers of the RTI Commission. Expanding public education and reducing administrative barriers are crucial next steps.
Moreover, Mr. Ayivi advocated for a coordinated national anti-corruption framework. He believes this would harmonise existing laws and strengthen the prosecution and monitoring of corruption cases. Collaboration among accountability institutions, such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Financial Intelligence Centre, is essential.
Mr. Stephen Owusu, Head of Legal at the RTI Commission, expressed concern about the reluctance of some institutions, especially security agencies, to comply fully with the RTI Act. This reluctance persists five years after its enactment. He affirmed that no public institution can exempt itself entirely from the Act's provisions. While certain information categories are exempt, the core principles of transparency remain.
Public awareness and utilisation of the RTI law have increased significantly. Individual citizens now account for most applicants, a shift from earlier years when media organisations dominated requests. Work on the draft Legislative Instrument (LI) for the RTI Act is almost complete. Mr. Owusu expects its passage before the end of the year, which will further strengthen the Act's implementation.