The Ghana Police Service has been fined GH¢100,000 for their refusal to provide information regarding cases of police brutality to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.
The Commission had requested access to this information, which was being sought by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Africa.
Despite the request being directed to the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service disregarded it entirely.
The RTI Commission expressed its disappointment with the Police Service’s failure to make decisions on the applicant’s request and their disregard for the Commission’s letter. By failing to comply with Act 989, the Police Service undermines the right of access to information enshrined in Article 21(1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The Commission has imposed an administrative penalty of GH¢100,000, which the Police Service must pay within 14 days of receiving the decision. Failing to comply will result in an additional default penalty rate of 10% on the principal penalty sum of GH¢100,000 for every subsequent 14-day period.
This news has garnered mixed reactions, with some people welcoming the decision, while others criticize the Police Service for their refusal to provide the requested information. Regardless of the reaction, it is clear that the RTI Commission has taken a step to enforce greater transparency and accountability in Ghana’s law enforcement agencies.
It must be noted that this concern is not only in the aspect of the RTI but the media in general as spokespersons of the Service have been gagged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in giving out information to the media.
By Vincent Kubi