The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has imposed a fine of GH¢100,000 on the National Signal Bureau (NSB) for denying access to CCTV footage requested by a Ghanaian citizen, William Kofi Yirenkyi at key locations in Accra.
This imposition of the administrative penalty, according to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., was a result of NSB’s violations of its obligations under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) by failing to respond to both Mr. Yirenkyi’s request and the Commission’s follow-up inquiry. Consequently, if the fine is not paid within 14 days, an additional 10% default penalty will be incurred.
The Commission has determined that the respondent is unjustified in refusing to grant the applicant access to the requested information. “The Respondent has breached its obligations under Act 989 by failing to respond to the Applicant’s request and the Commission’s letter. Under Section 70 of Act 989, the Respondent is required to assist the Commission in its investigations,” the Commission’s statement read.
“As a result of the Respondent’s failure to comply with its obligations under Act 989, an administrative penalty of GH¢100,000.00 is imposed. This amount must be paid to the Commission no later than 14 days after the Respondent receives this decision. Additionally, if the Respondent defaults on this obligation, a penalty of 10% on the principal sum of GH¢100,000.00 will apply for any subsequent 14-day period of non-compliance,” the Commission added.
Applicant Request
William Kofi Yirenkyi, Founder and Leader of the Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights, submitted a request on January 6, 2025, seeking details about the functionality of CCTV cameras in several areas, including East Legon, Cantonments, and Okponglo, during specific timeframes in November 2022 and December 2023.
His request also covered inquiries about footage retention policies, accessibility for individuals affected by criminal incidents, and whether law enforcement agencies had accessed the footage.
After receiving no response from the National Signal Bureau, Mr. Yirenkyi escalated the matter to the RTI Commission on January 21, 2025. The Commission officially wrote to the NSB on February 3, 2025, demanding an explanation for its failure to respond, but the agency remained silent.
The Commission ruled that while some aspects of the requested information were exempt from disclosure under Section 7(1)(i) of Act 989, the majority of the questions should be answered, including the operational status of CCTV cameras in the specified locations during the requested period, whether law enforcement or any third party had accessed the footage. If the footage does not exist, an explanation of its unavailability.
However, the Commission denied Mr. Yirenkyi’s request for information on whether the CCTV footage still exists in the NSB’s archives, citing public security concerns. The NSB has been ordered to release the permitted information within seven days and to allow the applicant to inspect or watch the CCTV footage within the same timeframe.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke