Ghana Reaffirms Commitment to Open Governance on International Day for Universal Access to Information

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to making governance more open, accountable, and responsive to its citizens’ needs. In a statement delivered by Education Minister Yaw Osei Adutwum at the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) conference, the President highlighted Ghana’s progress in advancing access to information, particularly through the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in 2019 ¹[6).

The RTI Act has been hailed as a success story and a model for Africa, ensuring citizens’ access to public information and promoting transparency and accountability in governance. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, praised Ghana’s implementation of the RTI law, citing its effectiveness in promoting openness and accountability.

Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, Minister for Information, emphasized the crucial role of technology in enhancing public access to government data. She mentioned initiatives such as the (link unavailable) platform and the upcoming Online Records Management System (ORMS), which will digitize the Right to Information application process.

Key Takeaways from IDUAI Conference:

• Ghana’s Commitment to Open Governance: President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to making governance more open, accountable, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
• RTI Act Success: The RTI Act has been hailed as a success story and a model for Africa, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
• Technology Enhancements: Initiatives such as (link unavailable) and the upcoming Online Records Management System (ORMS) will enhance public access to government data.
• International Recognition: UNESCO’s Tawfik Jelassi praised Ghana’s implementation of the RTI law, citing its effectiveness in promoting openness and accountability.

The IDUAI conference, held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, brought together stakeholders to promote universal access to information and reinforce Ghana’s commitment to open governance.