The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has imposed administrative penalties totalling GH¢220,000 on four public institutions found to have violated their statutory obligations under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

In a press release issued on February 5, 2026, the Commission announced that following investigations, hearings, and determinations conducted in accordance with the Act, it had taken enforcement action against the defaulting institutions to uphold the law.

The sanctioned institutions are the Ghana Education Service, WBM Zion Senior High School, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office. The penalties range from GH¢10,000 to GH¢100,000 per institution.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) was fined GH¢10,000 in a case brought by Frederick Asiamah of Corruption Watch against the service, while WBM Zion Senior High School received a GH¢10,000 penalty following a complaint filed by Daniel Yeboah against the school.

The National Pensions Regulatory Authority attracted the highest fine of GH¢100,000 in a case initiated by Innovative Teachers against the authority. The Economic and Organised Crime Office was also fined GH¢100,000 following a complaint by Gilbert Kekeli against the office.

The Commission explained that the penalties were imposed under Section 71(2)(f) of Act 989, which grants it the authority to impose administrative sanctions where public institutions or relevant private bodies fail to comply with their obligations under the legislation.

In a strongly worded statement, the Commission warned that compliance with the Right to Information Act is not a matter of choice for public institutions.

"The Commission emphasises that compliance with Act 989 is not discretionary. Failure to adhere to statutory timelines, disclosure duties, or enforcement directives constitutes a violation of law and attracts regulatory consequences," the statement read.

The Commission directed all public institutions to take immediate steps to strengthen their internal RTI compliance mechanisms, warning that continued non-compliance will attract further enforcement action.

"Public institutions are therefore directed to take immediate steps to strengthen internal RTI compliance mechanisms. Continued non-compliance will attract further enforcement action," the statement added.

The Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), was passed to give effect to Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to access information held by public institutions. The legislation establishes the RTI Commission to oversee its implementation and enforcement.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the right of access to information as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.

The press release was signed by Genevieve Shirley Lartey, Esq., Executive Secretary, on behalf of the Commission.