In a significant move reinforcing the government’s emphasis on transparency and accountability, President John Dramani Mahama officially swore in the new Right to Information Commission (RTI Commission) on November 4, 2025.
The newly constituted Commission will be chaired by Dr. James Asante, with Christina Edmund serving as Vice-Chairperson. Additional members include Kobby Woyome, Aba Edusah, Angela Emefa Kpegah, Shirley Lartey (who will also serve as Executive Secretary), and Chris Dugan.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Mahama emphasised the central role of the RTI Commission in Ghana’s governance structure:
He underscored that the right of citizens to access public information is a cornerstone of democracy and good governance.
He charged the Commission with overseeing full implementation of the Right to Information Act across public institutions — ensuring citizens can exercise their right to information without undue hindrance.
He called on the members to perform their duties with integrity, fairness, and independence, noting that the government will continue to support their work.
The inauguration of the RTI Commission marks a pivotal step in strengthening open governance in Ghana:
By enforcing access to public information, the Commission acts as a gatekeeper for transparency, enabling citizens to hold institutions accountable.
The move signals the government’s recognition that an informed citizenry is essential to combating corruption, improving public service delivery, and building trust in institutions.
In a context where governance reforms are high on the agenda, the effective functioning of the RTI Commission could become a key indicator of progress.
The Act was passed by the Parliament of Ghana on 26 March 2019 and assented to by the President on 21 May 2019.
It gives legal effect to the constitutional right under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Article 21(1)(f): “All persons shall have the right to information … subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society.”
Under the Act:
A person has the right of access to information held by public institutions.
Public institutions are required to compile and publish Information Manuals setting out what types of information they hold.
The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) was established to promote, monitor, protect and enforce this right.
