The Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) has been slapped with ¢200,000 fine by the Right to Information (RTI) Commission for failing to comply with directives to provide access to information.
The Commission's decision came in response to a letter from the Managing Director of GACL, Mrs Pamela Djamson-Tettey dated September 7, 2023.
The MD had requested a one-week extension to gather and submit information to JoyNews' Head of Research, Raymond Acquah, as directed by the Commission.
In a letter dated September 20, 2023, with reference number RTIG/RF/voL4/856, the Commission expressed its dissatisfaction with GACL's delay in providing the requested information.
The Commission had previously issued directives on February 3, 2023, and February 16, 2023, specifying the format in which the information should be submitted, and emphasized that the information was already available.
The Commission, while acknowledging the principle of fairness, granted GACL a one-week extension as requested.
However, it firmly rejected GACL's appeal for the waiver of the administrative penalty of ¢200,000 imposed by the Commission in a letter dated August 23, 2023.
The Commission justified its decision by highlighting the lack of cooperation from GACL in complying with their earlier directives.
The Commission viewed this as a deliberate attempt to hinder the implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which grants the Commission the authority to impose administrative penalties on entities that fail to comply with their obligations under the Act.
In the letter signed by Executive Secretary Yaw Sarpong Boateng, the Commission stated that it does not have the power to waive the already imposed penalty of ¢200000 and advised GACL to make the payment following the Commission's directive.
Background
The saga began when JoyNews requested access to the contract between GACL and Frontiers Healthcare Services, which oversees COVID-19 testing at the airport.
However, GACL refused to disclose this information, citing Section 10 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which allows for exemptions when certain conditions are met.
Additionally, they claimed that some information related to the contract award process and revenue generated from testing was not in their possession.
JoyNews challenged this stance, contending that the requested information did not fall under the broad exemptions outlined in Section 10 of the RTI law.
The Right to Information Commission intervened and, after a thorough review, communicated its decision to GACL in a letter dated February 3, 2023.
The Commission's findings contradicted GACL's position, asserting that the contract had already been executed and did not possess monetary or potential monetary value to the state.
The Commission further determined that disclosing the requested information would not damage the financial interests of the state.
Consequently, the Commission issued a directive to GACL, compelling them to release not only the Frontiers contract but also a summary of procurement details related to the GACL and Frontiers Healthcare Services Ltd transaction, excluding tax information and evaluative processes.
Additionally, GACL is required to provide information on the total revenue generated from Covid-19 testing at the airport since the inception of the agreement with Frontiers, along with the amounts earned by Frontiers Health Services and the government from these operations.
Latest Stories
-
35th CIMG Awards: Full list of winners
1 hour -
The Multimedia Group wins big at CIMG Awards 2023
2 hours -
Bernard Mornah wins PNC flagbearship race
2 hours -
Video: Confusion at PNC National Executives election
3 hours -
Rapper E.L. joins King Promise as Guinness Accravaganza headliner for September 21 showdown
4 hours -
PNC Congress: Bernard Mornah leads in Greater Accra Region
4 hours -
Reject violence, divisive rhetoric, embrace peace ahead of elections – Bawumia appeals to Ghanaians
4 hours -
SEFF’s debut single ‘Father’ sets stage for bold new talent
6 hours -
Super typhoon Yagi kills four in Vietnam
6 hours -
Hollard Insurance-UENR Mentoring Day: Students urged to let hard work, integrity shine to advance career
6 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Vision FC opens campaign with draw against Berekum Chelsea
6 hours -
If Baba Yara pitch was good, Mumin clears the ball – Laryea Kingston
7 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex begin title defence with draw against Dreams FC
7 hours -
Financing road construction and maintenance through a special fuel levy: A sustainable solution for Ghana’s road infrastructure
7 hours -
Ghana Celebrity Impact Awards 2024 launched to honor positive social influence
7 hours