Regional report

Regional report

Policy Brief Cover

The Right to Information (RTI) is widely recognized as one of the most powerful institutional tools for advancing transparency, accountability, and democratic governance. Under the Stopping Impunity for Corruption through Enhanced Accountability (SICEA) Project, a joint Regional Report on the Right to information and anti-corruption in West Africa and a Policy Brief was produced by the West Africa Hub composed of four Transparency International Chapters in West Africa, with Togo as the regional Hub. The National Chapters in Ghana (Transparency International Ghana), Liberia (Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL), Sierra Leone (Transparency International Sierra Leone (TI-SL) and Togo (ANCE Togo,) have contributed material for this work with the financial and technical support of Transparency International (TI, Berlin). This report is an assessment of Implementation and Enforcement of International and National Frameworks in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Key findings

1. Some progresses have been made:

  • West Africa has made notable legal progress in recognizing the Right to Information (RTI) as a fundamental democratic right.
  • Countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Togo have developed dedicated RTI legislations or constitutional provisions aimed at giving citizens the right to access government-held information.
  • Specific law with extensive protection measures in two countries (Ghana and Liberia) and limited protection in general rules for those reporting corruption to the Anti-Corruption Agencies (Sierra Leone and Togo).

2. Shortcomings are undermining these efforts:

  • Institutional Architecture Exists, but Implementation is Uneven
  • Citizen Awareness and Usage of RTI is Low
  • Bureaucratic, Cultural, and Capacity-Based barriers
  • A wide implementation and perception gaps between Citizens, CSOs and duty-bearers.

3. Key recommendations for Strengthening RTI as an Anti-Corruption Tool

  • Strengthen Enforcement and Sanctioning Powers of RTI Oversight Bodies
  • Promote Proactive Disclosure and Reduce Bureaucratic Barriers
  • Expand Public Awareness and RTI Education
  • Improve Digital Infrastructure and Expand Online RTI Access
  • Strengthen ECOWAS-Level Peer Learning and Monitoring
  • Strengthening duty-bearers understanding of anticorruption-RTI mechanism.

Conclusion

Effective RTI implementation depends on strong and independent oversight bodies, empowered citizens who understand and use their RTI rights, functional and inclusive digital systems, and sustained regional cooperation.A renewed, collective commitment to RTI can help transform transparency norms, reinforce accountability systems, and create a governance environment where citizens are truly at the centre of public decision-making.

For more, please go to:

Regional RTI Report here

Policy Brief here