RTI Commission Warns Institutions Against Selling Information, Cites Law

Key Takeaways

• The RTI Commission has cautioned institutions against selling information requested under the RTI law.
• The prescribed fees by law are for the cost of producing information, not for the information itself.
• Section 75(1) of the RTI law states the fees for each request, and Section 85 gives the RTI Act supremacy over other laws on information release.

The Counsel for the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, Stephen Owusu, has sounded a warning to institutions against selling information requested under the RTI law. According to him, the prescribed fees by law are for the cost of producing information, not for the information itself.

Owusu made this statement during an appearance on the Corruption Watch show on Adom FM, where the discussion centered on the breach of the law by the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet). Both institutions have been accused of demanding exorbitant fees for the release of information requested under the RTI law.

Background & Context

The Right to Information (RTI) law was passed by the Parliament of Ghana in 2019, with the aim of promoting transparency and accountability in government and public institutions. The law gives citizens the right to access information held by public institutions, subject to certain exemptions.

However, the law also prescribes fees for the cost of producing information, which has been a point of contention between the RTI Commission and institutions that have been accused of selling information to applicants. The prescribed fees are meant to cover the cost of reproducing information, such as photocopying and printing.

Why This Matters

The issue of institutions selling information requested under the RTI law has broader implications for the enforcement of the law and the promotion of transparency and accountability in government and public institutions. If institutions are allowed to sell information, it could undermine the purpose of the RTI law and create a culture of secrecy and corruption.

The RTI Commission's warning to institutions against selling information is a welcome development, as it emphasizes the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that citizens have access to information that is essential for the exercise of their rights and the promotion of good governance.

Market Impact

The market impact of the RTI Commission's warning is likely to be significant, as it could lead to a shift in the way institutions approach the release of information requested under the RTI law. Institutions that have been accused of selling information may be compelled to review their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the law.

The warning could also have a positive impact on the business environment, as it promotes transparency and accountability in government and public institutions. This could lead to increased investment and economic growth, as businesses and investors become more confident in the ability of institutions to provide information and services in a transparent and accountable manner.

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