The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has warned that misinformation, disinformation and manipulated content can weaken public trust and undermine informed decision-making, calling for stronger access to accurate, timely and verifiable information in Ghana’s digital environment.
Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission, Genevieve Shirley Lartey, gave the warning on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Commission’s 2026 Stakeholders’ Conference held at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra.
The conference, held under the theme, “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder,” brought together representatives from government and public institutions, civil society, the media, academia, development partners and other stakeholders.
Ms. Lartey said the rapid growth of digital platforms had transformed how citizens access news, participate in public discourse and engage with institutions, but had also created an environment in which false and manipulated information could spread rapidly.
She stressed that access to accurate, timely, reliable and verifiable information was essential to enabling citizens to make informed choices, participate meaningfully in public affairs and hold public institutions accountable.
According to her, credible access to information also enables public institutions to communicate accurately, address information gaps and build lasting relationships of trust with citizens.
Ms. Lartey reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting, monitoring, protecting and enforcing the constitutional right of access to information under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
She said addressing information disorder required a shared responsibility among public institutions, the media, civil society and citizens.
She urged public institutions to embrace proactive disclosure and sound information-management practices, while encouraging the media to uphold accuracy and responsible reporting. Civil society, she said, must continue public education and advocacy, while citizens should be equipped to engage with information critically and responsibly.
The Executive Secretary further said the conference provided an opportunity to examine how emerging technologies could be used responsibly while safeguarding privacy, personal data, national security and other legitimate interests protected by law.
The 2026 RTI Month is being observed throughout September and is expected to culminate in the commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information on September 28. The Commission has been undertaking public education and media engagements as part of efforts to deepen understanding of the Right to Information Act and its role in promoting transparency, accountability, participation and good governance.
Ms. Lartey said the success of the stakeholder conference would ultimately be measured by the practical recommendations developed, partnerships strengthened and actions that follow from the deliberations.