Author: RTI Commission

Management and Staff of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, participated in a one-day Internal Audit Training Workshop on 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 at the Commission’s Head Office in Dzorwulu, Accra.

The workshop brought together Management and Staff of the Commission, including officers who joined virtually from the RTIC’s Regional Offices across the country.

Delivering the opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐲 𝐄𝐬𝐪., warmly welcomed participants and underscored the importance of the training in strengthening accountability, compliance, and institutional effectiveness.

She encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions and leverage the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance their professional responsibilities and contribute to the Commission’s mandate.

The training was facilitated by 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐬. 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐨 , who provided practical insights into public sector auditing procedures, risk management, internal controls, and effective report writing. The workshop sought to enhance participants’ understanding of audit processes, strengthen internal control systems, and promote operational efficiency within the Commission.

Through interactive presentations, discussions, and practical engagements, participants gained valuable insights into the role of internal auditors within the public sector and explored best practices for conducting audits and preparing comprehensive audit reports.

In his closing remarks, the Head of Legal, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐎𝐰𝐮𝐬𝐮, 𝐄𝐬𝐪., expressed the Commission’s appreciation to the facilitators for their insightful presentations and commended participants for their active participation and commitment throughout the workshop. He noted that the knowledge and skills acquired would contribute significantly to promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance within the Commission.

The workshop forms part of the Commission’s continuous efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational effectiveness, and uphold the highest standards of accountability and good governance in the discharge of its mandate.

The Management and Staff of the Right to Information Commission (RTIC), on Thursday, 21st May 2026, commemorated Open Gov Week with a deliberative forum aimed at deepening discussions on transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and open governance within Ghana’s democratic framework.

Open Gov Week, observed globally from 18th to 22nd May, marks fifteen (15) years since the establishment of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a global movement dedicated to promoting transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance systems.

Held at the Commission’s Head Office in Dzorwulu, Accra, the engagement brought together Management and Staff to reflect on the importance of open governance and the Commission’s role in advancing democratic accountability through the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

Present at the engagement were the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq.; the Technical Advisor to the Executive Secretary, Mr. Kweku Sersah-Johnson; the Board Secretary, Ms. Christine Yieleh-Chireh; Management; and Staff of the Commission.

In her remarks, the Executive Secretary, Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., emphasized that access to information must not be treated as a privilege, but upheld as a fundamental right essential to accountability, citizen empowerment, and democratic development.

She further noted that the Commission’s commitments under Ghana’s 5th National Action Plan (NAP 5), including support for the passage of the Regulations to operationalize the Right to Information Act, development of public education materials, and intensified awareness creation programmes, represent practical steps toward building a governance culture anchored on openness and public participation.

The Executive Secretary also stressed that transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and openness must first be embedded within the internal culture of institutions if they are to be effectively promoted across the public sector. She encouraged staff to continue contributing meaningfully toward strengthening implementation and ensuring that open governance principles translate into tangible outcomes for citizens.

The event featured a presentation by Mr. Michael Duodu-Sakyima on the role of the Commission in advancing open governance and the status of commitments being implemented by the Commission under Ghana’s 5th National Action Plan.

A panel discussion on the theme, “Towards an Open Governance System: The Role of the Right to Information Commission,” formed a major highlight of the programme. The session was moderated by Ms. Audrey Odjeawo and featured panelists including Mr. Steven Jones (Transport Department), Mr. Andrew Adu Boahene (Enforcement, Investigation & Compliance), Rene Dwamenah (Information Unit), and Kaynaj Nyameye Adjei (PPBME).

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to championing initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, and citizens’ right to access information in furtherance of open governance and democratic development in Ghana.

The Right to Information Commission Ghana on 4th May 2026 paid a working visit to La Commission du Droit d’Accès à l’Information (CDAI) in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, marking a significant milestone in strengthening collaboration between the two institutions in the promotion of access to information and open governance.

The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange experiences, share best practices, and discuss their respective legal and institutional frameworks governing the right of access to information within their jurisdictions. Discussions also focused on deepening institutional cooperation, promoting peer learning, and advancing transparency and accountability mechanisms across Africa.

The delegation from the Right to Information Commission Ghana was led by Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., Executive Secretary, and comprised Mr. Vincent Opoku, General Manager, Finance & Administration; Mr. Michael Duodu-Sakyiama of the PPBME Department; and Ms. Audrey Korlekuor Odjeawo of the Office of the Executive Secretary.

The delegation from La Commission du Droit d’Accès à l’Information (CDAI) was led by its President, Mr. Omar Seghrouchni.

The visit was further graced by the presence of Aidan Eyakuze, Chief Executive Officer of the Open Government Partnership, Tarik Nesh-Nash and Kgothatso Semela, Senior Regional Coordinator for Africa and the Middle East, who commended Ghana and Morocco for translating discussions on collaboration and cross-border learning into practical institutional engagement.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in promoting transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and democratic governance. The partnership between CDAI and RTIC Ghana represents an important step toward building a more informed, participatory, and empowered African society.

The Right to Information Commission (“the Commission”), on Thursday, 30th April 2026, held a Staff Durbar at its Head Office in Dzorwulu, Accra.

The durbar, third in the series since the assumption of office by the Executive Secretary, marked the successful conclusion of her departmental engagement sessions and brought together Management and staff of the Commission for reflection, engagement, and alignment on the Commission’s strategic direction.

In her opening address, the Executive Secretary, Ms. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., highlighted key achievements of the Commission over the past year, expressed sincere appreciation to staff for their dedication and resilience, and provided updates on ongoing initiatives and operational priorities aimed at strengthening the Commission’s mandate.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Commission’s inaugural Staff Recognition Award Scheme, established to acknowledge and reward outstanding performance, commitment, and excellence among staff.

The award recipients were:

 • Michael Duodo-Sakyima – PPBME Department

 • Nana Kwamena Esa De Veer – Accounts Department

 • Louis Opoku – Legal Department

 • Emmanuel Donkor – Estate Unit

Management congratulated the awardees and encouraged all staff to continue demonstrating professionalism, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to the Commission’s mandate.

The Commission remains committed to fostering a motivated workforce and strengthening internal engagement as it continues to promote transparency, accountability, and the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) participated in the 2026 Freedom of Information Conference, popularly known as Sunshine Fest, a leading global forum on access to information and government transparency. The conference, convened by the Brechner Freedom of Information Project and co-hosted this year by MuckRock, was held from 15th to 17th March 2026 at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., United States.

The event brought together key international stakeholders in transparency and access to information and also marked the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in the United States. The Commission was represented by its Executive Secretary, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐬𝐪.

The conference commenced with a networking mixer and the Sunshine Science Fair, providing an informal platform for participants to connect and exchange ideas ahead of the main sessions. Over the course of the conference, more than twenty plenary and breakout sessions explored critical issues including transparency and accountability, the use of technology and artificial intelligence in records access, emerging challenges in freedom of information regimes globally, and strategies for strengthening collaboration between information requesters and public institutions.

Sessions attended by the Commission focused on practical and policy-oriented themes aligned with its mandate. These included transparency promotion, lessons from leading freedom of information jurisdictions, judicial transparency, agency best practices, funding of freedom of information (FOI) systems, commercial partnerships, effective access strategies, and the management of vexatious applications. The Executive Secretary actively participated in discussions on agency best practices, funding of FOI, commercial partnerships, and vexatious applications, contributing Ghana’s perspective and drawing insights to inform the Commission’s ongoing work.

The engagements provided valuable insights into addressing implementation challenges such as managing complex requests, enhancing non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms, expanding public awareness of information rights, and securing sustainable support for transparency systems.

During the breakout sessions, the Executive Secretary contributed to discussions on global trends in access to information and shared Ghana’s experience in implementing the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989). On the sidelines of the conference, she held strategic engagements with Mr. David Cuillier, Director of the Freedom of Information Project at the Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment; Ms. Alina Semo, a leading authority on the United States’ records and archives administration framework; and Mr. John Edwards, Information Commissioner, to exchange perspectives on strengthening access to information systems, enhancing institutional collaboration, and advancing global transparency practices. Participation in Sunshine Fest provided the Commission with an important platform to learn from countries with well-established freedom of information systems, strengthen international networks, and position Ghana’s Right to Information implementation within the global transparency agenda.

The engagement further enhanced the Commission’s international visibility and generated practical insights to support ongoing efforts to deepen access to information, promote accountability, and strengthen democratic governance in Ghana.

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC), in collaboration with the British High Commission on Wednesday 19th December, 2025 hosted a high-level breakfast meeting with members of the diplomatic community as part of efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement and strengthen partnerships.

The engagement brought together the Commission’s Governing Board, Management, and selected staff to deliberate on key institutional priorities. Central to the discussions were the Commission’s Medium-Term Development Plan and insights from the Implementation Assessment Survey conducted with the support of the Centre for Law and Democracy.

Delivering the welcome address, H.E. Dr. Christian Rogg, British High Commissioner to Ghana, underscored the essential role of trust, transparency, and citizen participation in democratic governance.  He noted  that access to information is fundamental to accountability and responsive government

In her presentation, titled “The Journey Thus Far,” the Executive Secretary, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐲 , outlined the Commission’s achievements since its establishment and identified key areas requiring further attention to strengthen access to information nationwide.

The Chairman of the Governing Board, Dr. James Kwaku Asante, emphasized the importance of sustained engagement with stakeholders and expressed appreciation  to development partners and collaborators for their continued support of the Commission’s mandate.

This engagement reaffirmed RTIC’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the effective implementation of the Right to Information Law, while strengthening collaboration with international partners.