In a significant step towards promoting transparency and open governance, representatives from Ghana and other international stakeholders gathered at the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2023 conference in Oxford, United Kingdom on September 28, 2023. This momentous event aimed to explore innovative strategies to ensure universal access to information and drive socio-economic development.

Among the distinguished participants were Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., the Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission of Ghana, and Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi and Ghana’s Information Minister. Their presence not only highlighted Ghana’s commitment to fostering transparent governance but also demonstrated the country’s proactive role in the global access to information movement.

The IDUAI 2023 conference was the recognition that access to information is a fundamental right that underpins democracy, good governance, and sustainable development. It empowers citizens, supports evidence-based decision-making, and enhances accountability.

The conference served as a platform for knowledge-sharing and dialogue as participants discussed topics based on this year’s theme: “THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ONLINE SPACE FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION.” Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq. provided valuable insights into the country’s journey in using the online space to making information accessible to the public in promoting transparency and accountability. He also admonished the need for stakeholders to collaborate and address the challenges that the online space comes with, such inadequate infrastructure, the risk of misinformation and disinformation.

Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, serving as Ghana’s Information Minister contributed his perspectives on the role of government of Ghana in enabling access to information. Highlighting Ghana’s commitment, he emphasized that the government is working tirelessly to create an enabling environment that upholds the right to information while fostering public trust and participation in governance.

With Ghana’s Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission and Information Minister at the forefront, the event showcased the country’s dedication to transparency and its aim to become a beacon of democratic governance.