An investigative report by Corruption Watch Ghana has uncovered that several key public institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Parliamentary Service, Judicial Service, Attorney-General’s Department, and Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), among others, have cumulatively paid fines totaling approximately 5.6 million Ghana Cedis for failing to comply with the Right to Information (RTI) law.
The probe, which spanned six months from February to July 2025, exposes that multiple institutions responsible for governance and public accountability have defaulted on their legal duty to provide information when requested by citizens, prompting the RTI Commission (RTIC) to impose significant financial penalties.
According to the report titled “SAGA OVER RTI: Millions paid as penalty,” released today by Corruption Watch Ghana, the Ghana Police Service has paid fines amounting to GHS450,357. CHRAJ has yet to settle a GHS30,000 fine, while the Parliamentary Service has paid GHS53,785.
The Judicial Service owes a fine of GHS100,000; the Attorney-General’s Department remains liable for GHS50,000; and SSNIT has paid GHS200,000.
The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) recorded the highest fine payment of GHS1.365 million.
Other institutions with heavy fines include the Ministry of Education, which paid GHS260,000; the Lands Commission, which settled GHS150,000; and the Ghana Audit Service, which paid GHS60,000.
Conversely, the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) currently owes a fine of GHS100,000.
The investigation further reveals that state institutions have often utilized taxpayers’ money to pay these fines, sparking concerns about accountability and transparency in managing public resources.
Corruption Watch’s investigative report highlights that over 70 separate determinations by the RTIC led to fines against at least 60 different institutions.
The Ministry of Education tops the chart with four penalties, followed by the Ghana Police Service with three.
Ten other public bodies, including the Ghana Education Service (GES), Judicial Service, Lands Commission, PPA, Ministry of Energy, and Urban Roads Department, each received two penalties.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
