President Akufo-Addo has urged public officials to regard public information as a national resource meant for the common good, rather than personal property.

He made this statement during the opening of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Accra on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, with the address delivered by Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.

In his speech, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the need to go beyond merely enacting laws to mainstream access to information and public participation in governmental activities.

He stated, “We must embed access to information into the very fabric of our public sector institutions. Public officials must recognize that information is not their property to withhold but a public good to be shared freely.”

Highlighting Ghana's progress in this area, the President remarked, “From the digitisation of public services to the creation of open data platforms, we are working to ensure that the walls of bureaucracy no longer stand in the way of information flow.” However, he acknowledged that while strides had been made, “much more remains to be done,” asserting his commitment to prioritizing access to information in public sector reforms.

He stressed that transforming the culture of governance from secrecy to openness was essential. “It is to ensure that every civil servant understands that their duty is not just to perform tasks behind closed doors but to engage with the public in a manner that fosters trust and collaboration,” he added.

Minister of Information Ms. Fatimatu Abubakar reported significant advancements in transparency since the implementation of Ghana’s Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989). She highlighted the growing awareness of the importance of access to information and the establishment of frameworks by public institutions to comply with the law.

“As we move forward, it is imperative that we mainstream access to information within all public sector institutions,” Ms. Abubakar stated. She called for a culture of openness that transcends mere compliance, urging government agencies to actively publish key documents and records.

Tawfik Jelassi, Acting Director General of Communication and Information at UNESCO, reinforced the importance of providing comprehensive and free access to public information across government levels. He asserted that “access to information was a right that should be provided by all public entities.” Jelassi also noted that the focus of this year’s Global Conference is to ensure that laws regarding access to information become effective game-changers in people's lives, stating, “It’s not enough to have laws on the books; they must be effectively implemented.”

The collective message from President Akufo-Addo and other speakers at the event underscores the vital role of accessible information in promoting transparency, trust, and effective governance in Ghana.