Introduction

The 1992 Constitution, Article 21 (f) grants every Ghanaian the right to information regarding public sector affairs and governance in general. It is against this backdrop that Parliament passed the Right to Information ACT, 2019 (Act 989) which His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assented to on 21st May, 2019.

The RTI ACT 989 promotes transparency and accountability by empowering people to access information on central and local governments as well as non-governmental organizations, which are publicly funded. In compliance with this law, a Right to Information Office is operational and Mr. Emmanuel Afful has been appointed as our first officer to facilitate this cause.

Application

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources encourages all members of the general public seeking information under this law to complete this form (click here to download the application form) and forward same to mlnr.info@mlnr.gov.gh. Applications may also be submitted in person at the front desk of the Ministry.

For further enquiries, do not hesitate to reach us on mlnr.info@mlnr.gov.gh or through +233-200242801, 0240413789.

RTI INFORMATION MANUAL:

• FINAL_RTI_MANUAL-2022.pdf
• RTI-Manual-2021.pdf

TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT FOR PROCESSING REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION

The Transitional Arrangements will run for a duration of four (4) months from January 2, 2020. The arrangements are modelled around sections 5-17, 19, & 23–25 of Act 989.

The arrangements are designed to assist public institutions to implement ACT 989 gradually from the beginning of the year, until such a time that internal systems and processes within the said institutions are fully calibrated to deliver RTI obligations to all persons.

The arrangements comprise:

1. The designation of an Information Officer
2. Establishment of protocols for the receipt of information requests
3. Processes for decision making and communication of decisions
4. Processes for granting access to information

In Ministries, Chief Directors have been sensitized on the steps to be undertaken to roll out the transitional provisions. Chief Directors have further been oriented on processes required to ensure that departments and agencies are fully onboarded with the transition provisions.

The Transitional Procedure is as follows:

1. An applicant shall fill a standard Request for Information form (which has been developed to conform with the procedures set out in s. 18 of Act 989). The Applicant may attach further particulars in a letter.
2. The form shall be submitted to the Registry of the Public Institution.
3. The Registry shall receive the application for access to information and after recording receipt, forward the request to the designated RTI Officer within the Institution.
4. The designated RTI Officer shall upon receipt of the application make a determination as to whether or not the application is one that safeguards the life or liberty of a person within the ambit of section 23(7).
5. If the application falls under section 23(7), the RTI Officer must decide within 48 hours whether to grant access, and notify the applicant in writing.
6. If not under section 23(7), the RTI Officer must notify the applicant within 48 hours of non-compliance and set a future date for the final decision.
7. Within 7 days, the RTI Officer will consult internally to confirm the availability of the requested information.
8. If the information is available, the applicant must be notified within 12 days about how access will be provided.
9. If access is denied, the RTI Officer must provide written reasons within 12 days, especially if the request falls under the exempt categories (sections 5–17).

RTI Manual: 2023-RTI-MANUAL.pdf

RTI Manual: 2025_RTI_MANUAL2-1.pdf