RTI Commission marks 2026 RTI month with focus on information integrity in digital age

The Right to Information (RTI) Commission commenced its 2026 information month on September 1, organizing activities in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga. The annual event, spanning until September 28, aims to promote effective implementation of the Right to Information Act 2019 (Act 989) and enhance public understanding of the right to access information. The initiative is led by the Commission's Executive Secretary, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, as reported by The Ghanaian Times.

The month-long programme will kick off with media outreach activities, comprising radio and television interviews with RTI Commission officials in the four cities. Section 45 of Act 989 mandates the Commission to promote public awareness of the right to information and collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies. Media engagements aim to interact with stakeholders, deepen public knowledge of Act 989, and emphasize the responsibilities of public institutions and citizens under the law.

An International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) commemoration is scheduled for September 28, designated by UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and affirmed by the UN General Assembly in 2019. Throughout the month, the Commission will host a Stakeholder Conference on September 24, 2026, engaging representatives from ministries, districts, civil society organizations, the media, academia, traditional authorities, and development partners.

The conference aims to develop practical recommendations to tackle information disorder, promote public participation in decision-making, and strengthen information integrity within Ghana's digital ecosystem.

The Commission calls on all public institutions to enhance proactive disclosure and fully comply with their obligations under Act 989. They also invite academia, development partners, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders to support efforts advancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

The Commission urges the media and civil society organizations to champion the right of access to information, promote accurate and verified information dissemination, and encourage citizens to exercise their rights responsibly.