Business & Financial Times: Ghana: Saturday, 29 August
2026.
The Right to Information
Commission (RTIC) has announced the commencement of Right to Information (RTI)
Month 2026, an annual commemoration dedicated to promoting the effective
implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
In a press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the RTIC, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., announcing the programme, the Commission said the annual observance is aimed at deepening public awareness and understanding of the right to access information.
This fundamental right according to the commission enables every person to seek and receive information, subject only to the limitations prescribed by law.
The commemoration provides an important platform for engaging citizens and key stakeholders on the critical role of access to information in promoting transparency, accountability, inclusive participation and good governance.
This year's celebration is under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
The Commission has designated September for a series of activities culminating in the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28. The Day was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
Activities scheduled for RTI Month 2026
The month-long celebration will feature a series of activities, including media outreach and interviews, a stakeholder conference, as well as internal staff engagement and team-building activities.
Media Outreach and Interviews
RTI Month 2026 will commence with media outreach activities, including radio and television interviews with officials of the Commission in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28.
Section 45 of Act 989 mandates the Commission to promote and sustain public awareness of the right to information and to collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies to educate the public.
The media engagements will provide an opportunity for the Commission to interact with stakeholders, deepen public understanding of Act 989 and highlight the respective responsibilities of public institutions and citizens under the Act.
Stakeholder Conference
The activities for RTI Month will include a Stakeholder Conference on September 24.
The conference will bring 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 provide a platform to develop practical recommendations for addressing information disorder, promote meaningful public participation in decision-making processes and explore measures for strengthening information integrity within Ghana's digital information ecosystem.
Staff engagement and team-building activities
A series of internal staff engagement and team-building activities will also be organised, culminating in the RTIC Staff Fun Day.
These activities reflect the Commission's commitment to building a motivated, cohesive and service-oriented workforce capable of effectively delivering on its statutory mandate.
Call to action
The Commission is calling on all public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and comply fully with their obligations under Act 989.
It is also inviting academia, development partners, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to participate in and support efforts to advance transparency, accountability and meaningful citizen participation in governance.
The media and civil society organisations are encouraged to continue championing the right of access to information and promoting the dissemination of accurate and verified information.
The Commission further encourages all citizens to exercise their rights under Act 989 responsibly, seek information from credible sources and contribute to efforts aimed at building a well-informed and resilient society.
In a press statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the RTIC, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., announcing the programme, the Commission said the annual observance is aimed at deepening public awareness and understanding of the right to access information.
This fundamental right according to the commission enables every person to seek and receive information, subject only to the limitations prescribed by law.
The commemoration provides an important platform for engaging citizens and key stakeholders on the critical role of access to information in promoting transparency, accountability, inclusive participation and good governance.
This year's celebration is under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
The Commission has designated September for a series of activities culminating in the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28. The Day was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
Activities scheduled for RTI Month 2026
The month-long celebration will feature a series of activities, including media outreach and interviews, a stakeholder conference, as well as internal staff engagement and team-building activities.
Media Outreach and Interviews
RTI Month 2026 will commence with media outreach activities, including radio and television interviews with officials of the Commission in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28.
Section 45 of Act 989 mandates the Commission to promote and sustain public awareness of the right to information and to collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies to educate the public.
The media engagements will provide an opportunity for the Commission to interact with stakeholders, deepen public understanding of Act 989 and highlight the respective responsibilities of public institutions and citizens under the Act.
Stakeholder Conference
The activities for RTI Month will include a Stakeholder Conference on September 24.
The conference will bring 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 provide a platform to develop practical recommendations for addressing information disorder, promote meaningful public participation in decision-making processes and explore measures for strengthening information integrity within Ghana's digital information ecosystem.
Staff engagement and team-building activities
A series of internal staff engagement and team-building activities will also be organised, culminating in the RTIC Staff Fun Day.
These activities reflect the Commission's commitment to building a motivated, cohesive and service-oriented workforce capable of effectively delivering on its statutory mandate.
Call to action
The Commission is calling on all public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and comply fully with their obligations under Act 989.
It is also inviting academia, development partners, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to participate in and support efforts to advance transparency, accountability and meaningful citizen participation in governance.
The media and civil society organisations are encouraged to continue championing the right of access to information and promoting the dissemination of accurate and verified information.
The Commission further encourages all citizens to exercise their rights under Act 989 responsibly, seek information from credible sources and contribute to efforts aimed at building a well-informed and resilient society.
.JPG)
.JPG)
