ACCRA – The Right to Information Commission has declared September 2026 as RTI Month, unveiling a nationwide campaign to educate Ghanaians on their right to access information, with a particular focus on combating misinformation in the digital era.
The month-long commemoration, scheduled from September 1 to 28, will be observed under the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Commission outlined a series of activities designed to deepen public understanding of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), and reinforce the link between access to information and good governance.
Nationwide Media Outreach
The programme will kick off with media engagements and interviews featuring Commission officials in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga. These sessions, running from September 1 to 28, aim to educate citizens on the provisions of Act 989 and clarify the responsibilities of both public institutions and individuals under the law.
According to the Commission, the outreach is mandated by Section 45 of Act 989, which requires the body to “promote and sustain public awareness of the right to information” and collaborate with state institutions and other relevant bodies to achieve that goal.
Stakeholder Conference and Staff Activities
A key highlight of the month will be a high-level stakeholder conference scheduled for September 24. The event will bring together representatives from ministries, departments, agencies, metropolitan and district assemblies, civil society organisations, the media, academia, traditional authorities, and development partners.
Discussions at the conference will centre on developing practical recommendations to address information disorder, enhance public participation in decision-making, and strengthen information integrity within Ghana’s digital information ecosystem.
The Commission also plans to hold internal staff engagement and team-building exercises, culminating in an RTI Commission Staff Fun Day. Officials said the activities are aimed at building a motivated and service-oriented workforce capable of effectively delivering on its statutory mandate.
A Call to Action
As part of its call to action, the Commission urged public institutions to strengthen their proactive disclosure practices and fully comply with their obligations under Act 989.
It also appealed to the media and civil society organisations to continue championing the right to information and promoting the dissemination of accurate and verified content.
Citizens, too, were encouraged to exercise their rights responsibly, seek information from credible sources, and contribute to building a well-informed and resilient society.
International Day for Universal Access to Information
The month-long activities will conclude on September 28 with the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information. The day was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015 and subsequently recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.
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