RTI Commission Highlights Accountability Reforms at West Africa Information Access Forum

Edited by Solomon Kwabena Nana-Ansah – Paaps –

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has participated in the launch of the West Africa Right to Information Report and Policy Brief, an event aimed at advancing transparency, accountability, and access to information across the sub-region.

The launch, held on June 3, 2026, at the Accra City Hotel, brought together representatives from public institutions, civil society organisations, governance experts, development partners, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the implementation of Right to Information (RTI) laws and promoting citizen participation in governance.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., was represented by the Head of Legal, Stephen Owusu, Esq. The event was organised by Transparency International Ghana as part of broader efforts to enhance the enforcement of RTI laws across Africa.

The report, titled “The Right to Information and Anti-Corruption in West Africa: An Assessment of the Implementation and Enforcement of International Frameworks in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo,” examines the effectiveness of access-to-information frameworks and their contribution to anti-corruption efforts in the four countries.

During a panel discussion, Stephen Owusu outlined the Commission’s position on the imposition of administrative penalties on public institutions that fail to comply with the Right to Information Act. He expressed concern that penalties imposed on public institutions are often paid from public funds, effectively shifting the financial burden to taxpayers rather than holding accountable the individuals responsible for the violations.

According to him, the Commission is seeking to address this challenge through the proposed Right to Information Regulations, which are currently being developed as a Legislative Instrument (L.I.). The proposed regulations are expected to establish a framework that allows administrative penalties to be imposed directly on individuals whose actions or omissions result in breaches of the RTI Act and subsequent sanctions.

The launch formed part of wider regional efforts to strengthen accountability mechanisms and promote the effective implementation of access-to-information laws. Participants highlighted the critical role of the right to information in combating corruption, enhancing transparency, and fostering democratic governance across West Africa.

The event underscored the growing recognition of access to information as a powerful tool for empowering citizens, improving public sector accountability, and supporting sustainable development throughout the region.