A Ghanaian citizen has submitted a series of extensive Right to Information requests to key government agencies, demanding full details of procurement, contracts, and scholarship distributions.
Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu, a resident of Oyarifa, Greater Accra, has approached the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) to access records covering the 2025 and 2026 financial years.
Details
The requests include copies of approved procurement plans, detailed lists of goods, services, and contracts awarded, including suppliers, contract sums, procurement methods, and contract dates. Amekplenu has also asked for any amendments or revisions to these plans.
At GETFund, the citizen went further, requesting comprehensive information on scholarship beneficiaries, including award amounts, selection criteria, committee compositions, and internal guidelines governing the awards.
EOCO was asked for details of financial recoveries dating back to 2012, including totals recovered, case breakdowns, and confirmation that funds were deposited into official accounts. NEIP was asked to provide full income and expenditure statements for the 2025/2026 financial year, detailing revenues, donor support, and spending categories.
Transparency
In his letters, Amekplenu said the requests were made “in the public interest to promote transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources.”
He requested electronic copies where available and that any refusal be accompanied by written reasons, as required under Ghana’s Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
The RTI Act
The RTI Act, enacted in 2019, gives citizens the right to request information from public institutions to ensure openness and accountability in government operations.
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) was passed by the Parliament of Ghana in March 2019 and assented to by the President on May 21, 2019.
This landmark legislation operationalizes Article 21 (1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees every Ghanaian the right to access information held by public institutions, subject to certain exemptions necessary in a democratic society.
The RTI Act is a major step towards promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Ghana by ensuring that citizens have the legal backing to demand and access relevant information from government bodies.
Passage of the RTI Act
The journey to the passage of the RTI Act spans nearly two decades, with its first draft dating back to 2002. Advocacy efforts were led by civil society organizations, media groups, and legal practitioners, pushing for greater access to government-held information.
POS Foundation played a critical role in this process as a leading advocate for the passage of the RTI Bill.
Representing the youth on the Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI), spearheaded by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Africa Office, POS Foundation mobilized various stakeholders, including students, journalists, and the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).
The Foundation also led awareness campaigns across all regions of Ghana ahead of parliamentary consultations, ensuring that citizens were informed and engaged in the legislative process.
Through street protests, media advocacy, and policy dialogues, POS Foundation and other coalition members applied sustained pressure on policymakers, contributing significantly to the passage of the RTI Act in 2019.
Impact
Since its implementation in 2020, the RTI Act has led to several key developments:
Increased Citizen Participation: More Ghanaians are now engaging with government agencies to request information on budgets, public procurement, and governance decisions.
Enhanced Media Investigations: Journalists have used the RTI Act to access critical government records, strengthening investigative journalism in Ghana.
Improved Government Accountability: The proactive disclosure requirement has pushed public institutions to be more transparent in their operations.
Challenges in Implementation: Despite progress, challenges such as bureaucratic delays, high request fees, and institutional resistance remain areas for continued advocacy.
