The Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Ghana paid a working visit to the Australian High Commission, Ghana on May 8th, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways by which the two institutions could work together to promote the effective implementation of Ghana’s RTI Act.

The delegation from the RTI Commission was led by Mr. Kofi Sarpong, the General Manager for Policy Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation. He provided an overview of the RTI Act, 2019 (Act 989) and the Commission’s efforts to sensitize citizens about the law.

The delegation was received by Penny Dennis, the Deputy High Commissioner, and Benito Woeko, the Political and Research Officer at the High Commission. Ms. Dennis commended the Commission’s massive work to ensure the law is properly utilized by the people, particularly the inclusion of some private organizations under the draft legislative instrument that is going to be passed into law.

Mr. Sarpong presented copies of the RTI Commission’s 5-year strategic plan and 2022 annual report to the High Commission’s to provide them with detailed information on the activities the RTI Commission has undertaken, and what it intends to do over the next five years. While noting that the High Commission is primarily focused on capacity building, Ms. Dennis expressed interest in engaging the RTI Commission through the Australian Public Service Commission’s online training programs and other capacity building opportunities for the staff of the RTI Commission.

The meeting concluded with the Australian High Commission assuring the RTI Commission of its support whenever possible, underscoring the importance of the RTI law and its effective implementation in Ghana.