A well-informed public is crucial for public accountability — Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated Ghana’s commitment to make governance more open, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people.

In a statement read on President Akufo-Addo’s behalf at the global conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Accra on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum highlighted Ghana’s progress in advancing access to information, particularly through the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2019.

He reflected on the importance of political will in realizing this fundamental right, emphasizing that “a well-informed public is crucial for holding leaders accountable and ensuring meaningful participation in governance”.

The Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, Tawfik Jelassi, also highlighted Africa’s progress in promoting the right to information.

He praised Ghana for enacting and enforcing the RTI law, stressing its success as a model achievement in Africa.

Tawfik Jelassi attributed this feat to the law’s effectiveness in ensuring citizens’ access to public information and promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Speaking also on the significance of the passage of the RTI law was the Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, who outlined the role of technology in enhancing public access to government data

She revealed that government initiatives such as the GhanaToday.gov.gh platform and the upcoming Online Records Management System (ORMS), will digitize the Right to Information application process nationwide.