RTI Commission fines 254 public institutions GH¢20,000 each for failing to submit annual reports

The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has sanctioned about 254 public institutions, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), with administrative fines of GH¢20,000 each for failing to submit their 2025 Right to Information Annual Reports as required by law.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Commission said the penalties were imposed under Section 77(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which obliges all public institutions to file annual reports on the implementation of the RTI law.

The Commission explained that the affected institutions failed to meet the reporting requirement despite repeated reminders published in the Ghanaian Times on January 20, 2026, and the Daily Graphic on April 24, 2026.

According to the Commission, the annual reports are essential for compiling its consolidated report to Parliament, making compliance a key requirement for promoting transparency, accountability and effective implementation of the RTI Act.

It noted that the statutory deadline for preparing and submitting the consolidated 2025 report to Parliament has already elapsed, leaving it with no option but to enforce the sanctions against defaulting institutions.

The RTI Commission has therefore directed all affected institutions to settle the GH¢20,000 administrative penalty within 14 days of receiving official notification.

It cautioned that any institution that fails to comply within the stipulated period will face additional enforcement measures as provided under the law.

“The Commission reminds heads of public institutions that compliance with the reporting requirements under Act 989 is a statutory obligation and not a matter of discretion,” the statement said.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring full compliance with the Right to Information Act while promoting openness, accountability and public access to information across state institutions.