- Corruption Watch reveals over GH¢5.6M in RTI fines against public and private institutions
- Ghana Police, CHRAJ, Parliament, and Judiciary cited for non-compliance
- Ministry of Education recorded four penalties, the highest number
A new investigation by Corruption Watch has revealed that multiple high-profile public institutions—including the Ghana Police Service, CHRAJ, Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Attorney-General’s Department—have been fined millions of cedis for breaching Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) law.
The six-month investigation, conducted between February and July 2025, found that the RTI Commission (RTIC) had issued over 70 determinations, resulting in fines totalling approximately GHC5.6 million against more than 60 public and private institutions.
The findings, detailed in a report titled “Saga Over RTI: Millions Paid as Penalty”, show that the Ghana Police Service alone has paid GHC450,357 in fines. Other institutions penalized include:
- CHRAJ – GHC30,000 (outstanding)
- Parliamentary Service – GHC53,785 (paid)
- Judicial Service – GHC100,000 (unpaid)
- Attorney-General’s Department – GHC50,000 (unpaid)
- SSNIT – GHC200,000 (paid)
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) incurred the highest fine—GHC1.365 million—followed by the Ministry of Education, which has paid GHC260,000. Other entities fined include the Lands Commission (GHC150,000) and the Public Procurement Authority (GHC100,000).
The report also raised a red flag over the use of taxpayer funds by state institutions to settle these penalties—undermining the intent of the RTI law, which was designed to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
In terms of frequency, the Ministry of Education was the most frequent offender, with four separate penalties, while the Ghana Police Service received three. Other repeat violators include the Ghana Education Service, Judicial Service, Lands Commission, Ministry of Energy, and the Urban Roads Department.
Corruption Watch, an initiative of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and its partners, stressed that the findings point to a troubling reality: institutions charged with upholding transparency and accountability are themselves violating access-to-information laws.
