RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) ACT, 2019 – ACT 989
Article 21(1)(f) of the Constitution of Ghana provides:
“All persons shall have the right to information, subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society.”
The Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) was enacted by the Parliament of Ghana and assented to by the President in 2019 to give effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by public institutions.
The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) recognizes the importance of the RTI law in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in public administration. Our RTI implementation strategies and procedures are guided by five key principles:
- Legal guarantees of access to information
- Proactive disclosure of information
- Clear procedures for accessing information
- Adherence to international best practices
- Respect for individuals’ right to privacy
To operationalize these principles, the ERCC has established a Right to Information (RTI) Unit, managed by an Information Officer, to facilitate requests for information from the public.
Access to information is, however, subject to specific exemptions to protect the public interest, as outlined in the Act.