Campaigners pushed for it for almost twenty years. Bills were drafted, shelved and redrafted. In 2019, Parliament finally passed Ghana’s Right to Information Act.
The law gives citizens a legal right to request information held by public institutions.
A long campaign
The right to information is guaranteed in Ghana’s 1992 constitution, but for years there was no law setting out how people could use it. Civil society groups and journalists campaigned for legislation from the early 2000s. Several governments promised to pass it.
Act 989
The Right to Information Act, Act 989, was passed in 2019 and came into force in January 2020. It applies to public institutions and to some private bodies that receive public money or perform public functions.
How to make a request
Anyone can apply for information by writing to the institution, usually to its information officer. The request should describe the information clearly. Institutions are required to respond within a set time, and they may charge fees for reproducing documents in some cases.
Time limits
The Act sets deadlines for institutions to respond, usually within fourteen days, with limited room for extension. If an institution fails to respond, the applicant can seek a review and then appeal to the RTI Commission.
Exemptions
Some information is exempt, such as material that would harm national security, personal privacy or ongoing investigations. Institutions must explain why they are refusing a request.
The RTI Commission
The Act created a Right to Information Commission, which handles appeals and complaints when requests are refused or ignored, and promotes awareness of the law.
How it has been used
Journalists, researchers and citizens have used the law to request information about government contracts, spending and decisions. Some requests have succeeded; others have been delayed or refused, leading to appeals.
Tips for applicants
Keep a copy of every request and note the date it was delivered. Be specific about the documents you want. If you are refused, ask for the reason in writing, which you will need for any appeal.
Challenges
Many public officials are still unfamiliar with the law, and some institutions have not appointed information officers. Awareness among ordinary citizens remains low.
Why it matters
Laws on paper only work if people use them. The Right to Information Act gives every Ghanaian a tool to ask their government questions, and the answers are only as good as the number of people willing to ask.
