The Right to Information Commission has imposed a fine of GHC 100,000 on the Ministry of Finance for failing to respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request made by a broadcast journalist, Wilberforce Asare.
The request was submitted by the journalist who was seeking detailed information on payments of emoluments to former government appointees.
The period covered in the request was from 7 January 2021 to 7 January 2025. The journalist intended to obtain clarity on how much was paid to individuals who served in government during that time.
However, the Ministry of Finance did not respond within the required time frame as stated under Ghana’s RTI law.
The law requires public institutions to respond to information requests within a specific period unless there are valid legal reasons for refusal or delay.
Because the Ministry failed to respond, the RTI Commission reviewed the complaint and found the ministry in breach of its legal duties under the Right to Information Act.
As a result, the Commission decided to impose a financial penalty of GHC 100,000.
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The Commission’s action is meant to enforce compliance and remind public institutions of their responsibility to provide access to information when requested by citizens.
It also reinforces the purpose of the RTI law, which is to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in public administration.
The RTI law was introduced to help citizens, journalists, and civil society groups access public information that is not classified or restricted by law.
The case shows concern about delays or non-response to RTI requests by some public institutions.
