INTRODUCTION
The Right to Information is a right guaranteed under Article 21 (f) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana to empower all persons to access information on public sector issues and governance. In 2019, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Right to Information Act, 2019 (ACT 989), which was assented to by the President, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo on 21st May, 2019, granting citizens the constitutional right to access information held by public institutions and relevant private bodies.
The Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), popularly known as the RTI Law, affirms and elaborates the constitutional right for people’s access to information by setting out in detail the manner in which citizens and non-citizens alike can access/request official information from public and private institutions that receive
public resources or perform a public function.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MOFA) recognizes the relevance of the RTI law to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs, particularly in a democratic society like Ghana. Pursuant to Act 989, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has established an Information Unit headed by an Information Officer/Designated Officer. The unit aims at facilitating access to information as part of its efforts to ensure a successful implementation of the RTI Law.
Above is the 2025 RTI Manual
Physical Location of MOFA
The Ministry is located with the Ministries enclave, in the same building with Ministry of Works and Housing, adjacent Ministry of Railways Development.
Our Mailing Address
The Chief Director
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture
P. O. Box GP 630
Accra
E-mail: info@mofad.gov.gh
Ghana Post GPS: GA-078-4071
KNOW THE EXEMPT INFORMATION
Should all information held by public institutions be made available to the public? NO
Some categories of information are exempt from public disclosure under the Act (Section 5-17).
➢ Some information for the President or Vice President
➢ Some information relating to Cabinet
➢ Some information relating to law enforcement and public safety
➢ Some information affecting International Relations
➢ Some information that affects the security of the State
➢ Some economic and any other interest
➢ Some economic information of third parties
➢ Some information relating to tax
➢ Some internal working information of public institution
➢ Some parliamentary privilege, fair trial, and contempt of court
➢ Some privileged information
➢ Some disclosure of personal matters
However, Factual or Statistical data is not exempt.
FEES AND CHARGES FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION
The Act Mandates Parliament in Section 75 to approve a fee that public institutions can charge. However, fees shall apply to only the three circumstances stated below:
➢ Request for information in a language other than the language in which the information is held.
(s.75) (3).
➢ When a request is made for a written transcript of the information, a reasonable transcription
cost may be requested by the Information Officer. (s.75) (4).
➢ Cost of media conversion or reformatting. (s.75) (5).
Under Section 75 (2), fees are not payable for:
➢ Reproduction of personal information
➢ Information in the public interest
➢ Information that should be provided within stipulated time under the Act
➢ An applicant who is poor or has a disability
➢ Time spent by the information officer in reviewing the information
➢ Time spent by the information officer to examine and ensure the information is not exempt
➢ Preparing the information
APPROVED FEES AND CHARGES
The fee for accessing information is subject to the approved Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022, (Act 1080) by Parliament of Ghana.
| REVENUE ITEM | APPROVED FEES AND CHARGES (GHS) |
| For every photocopy of an A4 size page or part thereof | 0.27 |
| For every printed copy of an A4 size page or part thereof held on a computer or in electronic or machine readable form | 0.38 |
| For a copy in a computer readable form on external storage device | 0.29 |
| For a transcription of visual images, for an A4 size page or part thereof | 1.28 |
| For a copy of visual images | 3.50 |
| For a transcription of an audio record, for an A4 size page or part thereof | 0.70 |
| For a copy of audio record | 1.00 |
HOW TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
➢ Make a written application to the public institution
➢ Alternatively, an applicant can request information orally due to illiteracy or a disability, which will be reduced into writing by the Information Officer.
➢ Your application should contain sufficient description to enable the information to be identified
➢ Indicate the form and manner of access required
❖ Inspection of the information
❖ Copy of the information (Hard copy, electronic copy or Braille)
❖ Viewing/ Listening (Video & Audio)
❖ Written Transcript
❖ Translation (specify language)
➢ State the capacity of the applicant to the satisfaction of the information officer to whom the application is made, if the application is made on behalf of another person.
➢ State the name of the applicant, an address to which communication or notice can be sent.
➢ Provide identification of the applicant.
➢ Be signed by the applicant
NB: Click here to fill out the RTI Application Form
PERSON TO DEAL WITH APPLICATION
An application to access information shall be dealt with by the Information Officer of the public institution (Section 19).
KNOW THE TIME LIMITS AND THE NECESSARY ACTION TO BE TAKEN
➢ An Information Officer (IO) has within 14 days to take a decision upon receipt of an application (Section 23)
➢ When access to information is denied by IO, an applicant has within 30 days to seek Internal Review from the Head of the Institution.
➢ An applicant dissatisfied with a decision of a public institution may apply to the RTI Commission for a review of the decision.
➢ An applicant refused access to information by an Institution and the RTI Commission may apply to the High Court for Judicial Review of the decision within 21 days.
THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION COMMISSION (RTI COMMISSION)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RTI COMMISSION
The Right to Information Commission is established under section 40 of the RTI Act, 2019 (Act 989). The object of the Commission is to:
a. promote,
b. monitor,
c. protect and
d. enforce
the right to information that is granted to a person under paragraph (f) of Clause (1) of Article 21 of the Constitution and provisions of Act 989.
The Commission is governed by a Seven-Member Board consisting of:
a. A Chairperson
b. One Deputy Chairperson
c. Four other persons, two of whom are women
d. The Executive Secretary
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
The Commission carries out its work in the following ways:
➢ Issue written orders requesting for the production of information
➢ Examine, reproduce, take extracts from or hold information for unlimited periods
➢ Take appropriate action that is necessary to enable the commission resolve complaint before it
➢ Conduct matters with as little technicality and expeditiously as possible
➢ Hold hearings in public unless it is considered inappropriate to do so
➢ Publish its findings, recommendations, orders, decisions, and directives quarterly
➢ Public education and awareness
CONTACTS:
Right to Information Commission
No. 4 Osu Badu Link, Airport West
Residential Area, Accra
GA-156-1702
+233 302 788 353
E-mail: rticommission@ritc.gov.gh
CONTACTS:
Ministry of Information
Access to Information (ATI) Division
ATI Division Tel: 0302498016; 0302983866; 0302983867; 0302983869 E-mail: rti@moi.gov.gh
