Author: RTI Commission

The Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC), 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐬𝐪., led a delegation of the Commission to hold bilateral discussions with representatives of the 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 on opportunities for strategic collaboration between the two institutions. The meeting took place on 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 at the 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐚.

The European Union delegation warmly welcomed the Commission and reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration. The European Union was represented by Ms. Sylvia Severi, Head of Cooperation; 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐡𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐫, Team Leader for Governance and Security; and, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐧-𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐥 Programmes Manager.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐬𝐪., expressed the Commission’s appreciation to the European Union for its longstanding partnership and support.

She further outlined key strategic programmes the Commission intends to undertake, including:

• Operationalization of the Commission’s Legislative Instrument (LI);

• Regional Expansion Drive;

• Compliance Strengthening Exercises;

• Capacity Building for Marginalized Groups;

• Youth Awareness Initiatives; and

• International Learning Partnership Initiatives.

In her remarks, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐡𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐫, EU Team Leader for Governance and Security, proposed collaboration between the 𝐄𝐔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 and the Commission on youth awareness initiatives.

Both institutions agreed that the proposed youth collaboration initiative would support the Commission’s efforts to promote and strengthen the right of access to information in Ghana, 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐲 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐞.

The Government of Ghana has further demonstrated its unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in public service with the inauguration of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission. In a significant ceremony held on the 4^th of November, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama administered the oath of office to the Commission’s new Governing Board Members, comprising distinguished individuals who will play a crucial role in promoting good governance and citizen-centric administration.

The newly Commissioned Governing Board is composed of the following persons;

1. Dr. James Kwaku Asante   –    Chairman
2. Ms. Christina Edmund       –    Deputy Chairperson
3. Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq.  –  Executive Secretary & Member
4. Hon. Aba Edusah               –     Member
5. Ms. Angela Emefa Kpegah  –   Member
6. Hon. Wisdom Kobena Mensah Woyome   –    Member
7. Mr. Christopher Belami Doughan  –    Member

The RTI Commission is entrusted with the critical responsibility of overseeing the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, ensuring citizens’ access to public information, and promoting transparency and accountability across all public institutions. In his keynote address at the inauguration ceremony, President Mahama underscored the Commission’s pivotal role in fostering a culture of accountability, enhancing citizens’ trust in governance, and promoting transparency in public affairs.

GALLERY:

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) Ghana took centre stage at the 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) Global Conference, held in Manila, Philippines, from 29th to 30th September, 2025. This year’s theme, “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,” highlighted the growing importance of digital tools and open data in empowering citizens and protecting the planet.

RTIC Ghana was represented by the Executive Secretary Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., and Mr. David Oppon Kusi, a Member of the Board. The Commission’s participation positioned Ghana among over 30 nations that convened to explore the future of access to environmental information in an increasingly digital world.

One of the most poignant moments of the conference was the IDUAI 2025 Handover Ceremony, during which Ms. Lartey formally passed the mantle to the Philippines’ Presidential Communications Office. This symbolic exchange marked Ghana’s successful tenure as host of IDUAI 2024 and reaffirmed the country’s leadership in advancing the right to information globally. The ceremony symbolized the continuation of a shared international commitment to deepening transparency and access to information.

Preceding the main event, the AI4IA (Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility) virtual forum on September 28 explored how AI technologies can revolutionize public access to environmental data. Discussions focused on leveraging machine learning and digital platforms to enhance transparency, especially in climate governance and sustainable development.

The conference also featured dynamic panel discussions, keynote addresses, and workshops that addressed critical issues such as digital inclusion, open data, ecosystems, and the role of civil society in environmental monitoring. Notably, the Philippines highlighted its position as a founding member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), reinforcing the importance of collaborative reform for transparent governance.

RTIC Ghana’s participation in IDUAI 2025 was more than ceremonial—it was a reaffirmation of the Commission’s mission to empower citizens through access to information. As environmental governance and digital transformation converge, the Commission remains poised to lead efforts in building inclusive, tech-driven systems that uphold democratic values and foster active civic engagement.

The Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission, 𝗠𝘀. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘆, 𝗘𝘀𝗾., together with some members of Management and Staff of the Commission, paid a working visit to the offices of Star Ghana Foundation at Ogbojo, Accra, on 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

The team was warmly received by 𝗠𝗿. 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼 Executive Director of Star Ghana Foundation, and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐄𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐝𝐳𝐢 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫.

The purpose of the visit was to formally introduce the Executive Secretary to the leadership of Star Ghana Foundation and to further strengthen the existing relationship between the two institutions. In her remarks, Ms. Lartey commended Star Ghana Foundation for its continued collaboration and support to the Commission.

She also highlighted key areas of potential partnership, particularly initiatives aimed at promoting access to information nationwide, with the overarching objective of enhancing transparency and accountability. In response, Star Ghana Foundation expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the Commission in implementing the RTI Law and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and deepening their support to the Commission.