The Acting Director of the Information Services Department (ISD), Dr Nafisa Mahama, has said that the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) law has improved transparency and accountability in government. Speaking at a panel discussion during the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Accra on Wednesday, she noted that the RTI law has paved the way for public institutions to be more deliberate in disclosing information on government activities and programmes. Dr Mahama stated that while the passage of the law is a significant step, there is a conscious need to build public awareness and capacity to utilise the law effectively. “It’s not just about having the law or a plan in place. There must be deliberate efforts to educate people on how to access the information they need,” she noted. According to her, government agencies have taken measures to proactively provide information on social services, infrastructure, healthcare and education, ensuring citizens are informed about the projects undertaken with taxpayers’ money. She further explained that government accountability extends beyond using digital platforms, as traditional methods like town hall meetings and community engagements are essential to keeping citizens informed and involved. These efforts, she said, help generate feedback that informs policy and strengthens governance. Dr Mahama said RTI has become a key performance indicator (KPI) for heads of public institutions, ensuring that leaders are held accountable for transparency. She also noted that the government has implemented performance tracking systems, such as league tables, that rank local government entities based on their adherence to policy objectives, including RTI implementation. She explained that these rankings, which are published annually, serve as an accountability tool, ensuring that public institutions comply with transparency mandates. “350 RTI officers have been trained to assist institutions in complying with the law. These officers’ performance, along with the institutions they serve, is monitored and reported by the RTI Commission, which publishes annual reports ranking various public bodies on their compliance,” she added. Dr Mahama further announced the introduction of a digital record management system, set to launch next month which would enable people to request information from institutions online, further enhancing transparency. “This system will allow citizens both locally and internationally to access government information online, further advancing transparency efforts. As we move along, we learn from our experiences and continuously improve the system,” she said. Dr Mahama commended the RTI Commission for its role in guiding public institutions to meet transparency requirements.