{
  "id": 12578129,
  "title": "Ghana marks international day for universal access to information",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ghana-marks-international-day-for-universal-access-to-information",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T07:45:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/ghana-marks-international-day-for-universal-access-to-information/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Right to Information Commission in Ghana initiated a month-long program of events for the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), which falls on September 28. IDUAI, established by UNESCO in 2015 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, aims to promote the right to access public information, emphasize the significance of freedom of information laws, and foster transparency and accountability in governance. The 2026 theme, \"Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: How Access to Information Can Prevent Information Pollution,\" underscores the importance of addressing the challenges posed by digital information disorder.\n\nIn Ghana, the IDUAI celebration kicked off on September 1, 2026, with a stakeholder conference held on September 24 in Accra. The conference brought together representatives from various sectors, including government institutions, non-governmental organizations, academia, the media, development partners, diplomats, individuals with disabilities, private sector stakeholders, and underserved communities. President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the significance of access to information in promoting inclusive and shared governance during his address, delivered by Senior Legal Counsel to the President, Mrs. Maretta Brew.\n\nFelix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications and Government Spokesperson, highlighted the obstacles hindering access to information, such as inadequate record management, unclear procedures, and institutional reluctance to disclose. He underscored that Act 989 permits oral applications in relevant processes and commended the Commission's enforcement actions against institutions not adhering to RTI obligations. Dr. James Kwaku Asante, Chairman of the Board of the Right To Information Commission, spoke about the transformative power of information in shaping public opinion, influencing policy decisions, and maintaining social cohesion. Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Executive Secretary of the Right To Information Commission, explained that the stakeholder forum offered a platform to discuss information integrity challenges, explore practical solutions, and strengthen partnerships to promote information integrity. UNESCO representative to Ghana, Mr. Edmund Moukala, emphasized the relevance of access to information as a key component in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, specifically target 10.2, which focuses on public access to information and the protection of fundamental freedoms.",
  "summary": "INFORMATION, and indeed, quality information, remains at the heart of transparency and accountability in the governance ecosystem the world over. The Right to Information and perhaps, most importantly, the access to right to information therefore remains golden in the global strive for democracy. Proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in … The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}