Mahama inaugurates the new Right to Information Commission.

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in a new Right to Information (RTI) Commission, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to deepening transparency, accountability, and good governance in Ghana’s public sector.

The newly constituted Commission is chaired by Dr. James Asante, with Christina Edmund as Vice Chairperson. Other members include Kobby Woyome, Aba Edusah, Angela Emefa Kpegah, Shirley Lartey, who also serves as Executive Secretary, and Chris Dugan.

The Commission’s core mandate is to ensure the full implementation of the Right to Information Act, which grants citizens access to public records and information held by government institutions. It will also monitor compliance across ministries, departments, and agencies, while guiding public institutions to proactively publish information to foster transparency.

President Mahama, speaking at the ceremony at the Jubilee House, underscored the significance of the RTI framework in building a culture of openness. He said the Commission must serve as a bridge between the government and the public, ensuring that access to information is not hindered by bureaucracy or political interference.

He also noted that access to timely and accurate information was essential to the fight against corruption and mismanagement, and called on public officials to cooperate fully with the Commission’s work.

The RTI Act, which came into full effect in 2020, places a legal obligation on public institutions to provide information requested by citizens, subject to limited exemptions such as matters of national security. However, civil society groups have long expressed concern over delays and institutional resistance in granting access to records.

The President urged the new Commission to address these challenges decisively, adding that the government was committed to providing the necessary financial and logistical support for the effective performance of its duties.