By: Saidu Jalloh
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has urged all public authorities including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to comply with the January 22 deadline for the submission of their Annual Compliance Reports (ACRs) and Proactive Disclosure Information (PDIs) for the year ending 31 December 2025.
RAIC warned that failure to meet the deadline could attract sanctions and negatively affect institutional performance ratings.
The call follows a formal notice issued on 28 November, which outlined statutory obligations and submission timelines under the Right to Access Information Act. While commending institutions that have already complied, the Commission expressed concern that several public authorities are yet to submit the required documents.
Speaking on the matter, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, emphasized that compliance with the Act is both a legal requirement and a governance imperative. “Compliance with the Right to Access Information Act particularly the submission of Annual Compliance Reports and Proactive Disclosure Information is not optional; it is a legal and moral obligation,” Dr. Shaw stated.
He further disclosed that, beginning in 2025, compliance with the Access to Information (ATI) regime, including ACR and PDI submissions, has been formally adopted by State House as a key performance-tracking indicator for all MDAs and SOEs.
According to Dr. Shaw, RAIC will submit verified compliance data directly to State House. Institutions that fail to comply, he said, will be deemed non-compliant and assigned zero compliance scores by the State House Performance Tracking Unit.
“It is therefore imperative that all institutions treat the January 22 deadline with the seriousness it deserves, as transparency is fundamental to public trust, effective governance, and democratic accountability,” he cautioned.
RAIC has called on all defaulting MDAs and SOEs to take immediate steps to complete and submit their ACRs and PDIs within the stipulated timeframe, warning that continued non-compliance may trigger enforcement measures under the law and adversely affect institutional assessments.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting public authorities and renewed its appeal for prompt action, urging all institutions to demonstrate their commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability by meeting the January 22 deadline.