Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has called on the Right to Information (RTI) Commission to place stronger emphasis on environmental information in its public education and advocacy initiatives. He said this would empower citizens to play a more active role in protecting the environment, particularly in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the Commission’s 5th Anniversary and Stakeholders’ Conference in Accra, held under the theme “Championing Transparency and Accountability through Access to Information in a Digital Era,” Dr. Ayine stressed that transparency in environmental governance is crucial.
He noted that timely access to accurate environmental data will not only enhance public understanding of the impact of harmful and unsustainable practices but also strengthen citizens’ ability to demand accountability from state institutions.
Dr. Ayine emphasized that access to environmental information must be treated as a national priority, given the scale of environmental degradation and the existential threat posed by illegal mining.
He further urged the RTI Commission to collaborate with relevant state agencies and environmental institutions to make environmental data easily available and accessible to the public.
