The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, on Friday 30 June 2023, delivered the 2022 report on the performance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act to parliament.
In his address, Mr Nkrumah highlighted the crucial contributions of the Access to Information (ATI) Division of the Information Services Department (ISD) and the RTI Commission in driving the successful implementation of the RTI Act.
“We have made significant strides in enhancing the implementation of the RTI Act,” the Minister stated. “The ATI Division of the ISD has embarked on five major tasks in the year gone by. Significant among these tasks are the recruitment and deployment of Information Officers, and the support to information units,” he added.
He emphasized that the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency is evident in the inclusion of RTI compliance as Key Performance Indicators in the Chief Director’s Performance Agreement. This step highlights the importance of upholding the principles of the RTI Act and promoting transparency within public institutions.
Regarding the accomplishments of the RTI Commission, the minister disclosed that the regulatory body had obtained prosecutorial authority from the Attorney General to take action against individuals and institutions that violate the RTI Act.
He lauded the Commission for conducting compliance surveys, handling review applications, and acquiring additional resources to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
“Mr. Speaker, in terms of the work that the regulator has done, the RTI Commission has done in the year gone by, the regulator has secured the prosecutorial mandate from the Attorney General of the Republic, has also conducted compliance surveys, determined review applications that have come before it, secured additional logistics for its operations, promoted the Right to Information Act and its infrastructure and issued guidelines for the compilation and publication of information units,” he emphasised.
The Minister shared significant data on the number of information requests received by public institutions during the reviewed year. Out of the expected 683 institutions, 382 submitted annual reports to the RTI Commission, showing a 55% compliance rate. These institutions received a total of 783 applications, with 669 being approved, rejected, transferred, or deferred in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act.
Looking ahead, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah outlined the upcoming plans. The ATI Division aims to implement the Online Records Management System to streamline the online application and request process. Additionally, he promised to present the legislative instrument for the RTI Act to Parliament before the end of the year.
Regarding the future initiatives of the RTI Commission, he mentioned their intention to establish field offices in Kumasi and Sunyani to provide services closer to the Ghanaian people. The Commission will continue public awareness campaigns and strive to appoint Information Officers in the remaining 333 public institutions, subject to available funding.