An investigation by Corruption Watch has revealed that several key state institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Judicial Service, and Parliament, have been fined a total of GH¢5.6 million for breaching the Right to Information (RTI) law.
According to a statement issued on Monday, September 29, 2025, the six-month investigation (February–July 2025) found that these institutions either refused or failed to provide information requested by citizens, leading to penalties imposed by the Right to Information Commission (RTIC).
Breakdown of fines
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Ghana Police Service – GH¢450,357 (paid)
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CHRAJ – GH¢30,000 (yet to pay)
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Parliamentary Service – GH¢53,785 (paid)
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Judicial Service – GH¢100,000 (yet to pay)
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Attorney General’s Department – GH¢50,000 (owed)
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SSNIT – GH¢200,000 (paid)
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Other major fines include:
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Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) – GH¢1.365 million (largest single fine, paid)
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Ministry of Education – GH¢260,000 (paid)
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Lands Commission – GH¢150,000 (paid)
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Ghana Audit Service – GH¢60,000 (paid)
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Public Procurement Authority (PPA) – GH¢100,000 (owed)
Findings from the investigation
Corruption Watch noted that the penalties were issued across more than 70 RTIC rulings involving at least 60 institutions. Alarmingly, it discovered that fines are being paid with taxpayers’ money, effectively making citizens bear the cost of the institutions’ failure to comply with the law.
In terms of frequency of violations, the Ministry of Education tops the list with four penalties, followed by the Ghana Police Service, which has received three. Other institutions such as the GES, Judicial Service, Lands Commission, PPA, Ministry of Energy, and Urban Roads Department have each faced two penalties.
Call for accountability
Corruption Watch has released a detailed report, “SAGA OVER RTI: Millions Paid as Penalty,” on its YouTube channel, highlighting how some of the very institutions mandated to promote transparency and accountability are undermining the RTI law by denying access to information.
The group stressed that this practice not only weakens governance but also erodes public trust, as citizens are forced to finance penalties arising from unlawful refusals of information.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem