Govt to launch online records management system for RTI applications

The government will introduce an Online Records Management System (ORMS) to streamline the submission of Right to Information (RTI) applications to public institutions.

The platform will digitise the RTI application process and improve records management across all public institutions.

The Minister for Information, Mrs Fatimatu Abubakar, disclosed this at the 2024 Global Conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on Tuesday in Accra.

She stated, “Access to information empowers citizens. It provides the foundation for informed participation in decision-making, allows for scrutinising government actions, and fosters a culture of accountability.”

She noted that since the enactment and implementation of Ghana's Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), significant progress has been made to improve transparency and ensure citizens' right to request and receive information from public offices.

“Through the efforts of the Information Services Department (ISD) and the Right to Information Commission, we have witnessed a growing awareness of the importance of access to information, with various public institutions implementing robust frameworks to comply with the law,” she added.

The Minister, however, acknowledged that more work is needed to make access to information a routine part of governance.

“Our work is far from done. We must ensure that government agencies actively publish key documents and records, fostering a culture of openness beyond mere compliance. The goal is not just to provide information upon request but to proactively share knowledge that can inform public discourse and foster meaningful participation," she stated.

To achieve this, she said, the government has embarked on several initiatives aimed at making information more accessible to citizens and ensuring that public participation becomes a cornerstone of policy-making.

She said, “The ghanatoday.gov.gh platform, managed by the ISD, offers real-time access to government data and reports. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be-launched ORMS will revolutionise how citizens interact with public institutions by providing a seamless, digital RTI application process.”

Mrs Abubakar added that the Ministry of Information has initiated media literacy and public education programmes to provide citizens with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of today's digital information landscape, as misinformation and disinformation pose real threats to public trust and decision-making.

“These initiatives highlight the government's commitment to making information accessible and ensuring that public participation remains central to policy-making,” she noted.

The Minister called on government agencies, civil society and the media to work together to ensure that access to information is actively promoted and used to strengthen public participation in governance.

On his part, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mr Tawfik Jelassi, noted that Africa has made remarkable strides in adopting and implementing Access to Information (ATI) laws since 2010.

He said, “In Ghana, the Right to Information Act was adopted in 2019. It was developed with input from all major stakeholders, including journalists, civil society organisations and academia. This collaborative approach has greatly benefited society as a whole.”

According to him, the law has been instrumental in uncovering misconduct, with journalists and civil society organisations relying on it to fulfil their information requests.

“Ghana’s experience exemplifies how quality legislation can be created while fostering a sense of collective ownership,” he added.