RTI Commission declares September as Right to Information Month

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has announced the commencement of Right to Information (RTI) Month 2026, an annual commemoration dedicated to promoting the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

In a press statement issued on August 27, 2026, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., the Commission said it observes RTI Month every year to deepen public awareness and understanding of the right of access to information.

This, he said, enables every person to seek and receive information subject only to limitations prescribed by law.

This year's celebration is under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”

According to the statement, the Commission has designated September for a series of activities culminating in the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) on September 28.

The Day was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

For the month-long celebration, the Commission will undertake media outreach and interviews, including radio and television engagements with officials of the Commission in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga from September 1 to 28, 2026.

The Commission explained that Section 45 of Act 989 mandates it to promote and sustain public awareness of the right to information and to collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies to educate the public.

The activities will climax with a Stakeholder Conference on September 24, 2026, which will bring together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, civil society organisations, the media, academia, traditional authorities and development partners.

The conference is expected to develop practical recommendations for addressing information disorder, promote meaningful public participation in decision-making processes, and explore measures for strengthening information integrity within Ghana's digital information ecosystem.

The Commission will also organise a series of internal staff engagement and team-building activities, culminating in the RTIC Staff Fun Day, as part of efforts to build a motivated, cohesive and service-oriented workforce capable of effectively delivering on its statutory mandate.

The Commission has therefore called on all public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and comply fully with their obligations under Act 989.

It also invited academia, development partners, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to participate in and support its efforts to advance transparency, accountability and meaningful citizen participation in governance.

The media and civil society organisations are equally encouraged to continue championing the right of access to information and promoting the dissemination of accurate and verified information.

It further encouraged all citizens to exercise their rights under Act 989 responsibly, seek information from credible sources and contribute to efforts aimed at building a well-informed and resilient society.