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The President and Founder of the UP Tradition Institute, Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, says the Presidency has no legal obligation to provide the Fourth Estate with details of expenditure on Ghana’s annual Independence Day Celebration, despite a recent request submitted by the media organisation under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989).
According to him, the Fourth Estate’s demand for a full breakdown of the costs and sources of funding reflects a misunderstanding of the provisions of the RTI law.
His comments follow a request submitted by the Fourth Estate under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), seeking a breakdown of the cost of the national event and its sources of funding.
In a statement issued on November 27, 2025, and signed by the President and Founder of the UP Tradition Institute, Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, argued that the media organisation’s request reflects a misunderstanding of the RTI law, insisting that the Independence Day celebration involves operations tied to national security and international diplomatic engagements.
For this reason, he said the Presidency and the Chief of Staff are legally restricted from disclosing such information, as it falls under the exempt categories of Act 989.
In his explanation, Dr. Opoku referenced several provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), which he said legally prevent the release of details on Independence Day expenditure.
He pointed to Section 5, which covers information prepared for the President or Vice-President, including Section 5(b)(ii), as well as Section 6, which restricts access to Cabinet-related information under Sections 6(c)(iii) and 6(c)(iv).
Dr. Opoku further cited Section 8(1)(a), which protects information affecting international relations, noting that Independence Day celebrations often involve the participation of Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and other diplomatic guests whose arrangements are handled by the Government of Ghana.
According to him, such information cannot be disclosed to private entities without authorization from the governments involved.
Dr. Opoku also referenced Section 9(1)(a), which exempts information that could affect the security of the state, questioning how the government could be expected to release budgetary details tied to national security operations.
He questioned how the government could be expected to release budgetary details tied to sensitive security operations.
The President and Founder of the UP Tradition Institute criticised the Fourth Estate for what he described as a persistent sense of entitlement in its dealings with the Office of the President, adding that demands for detailed expenditure and funding sources for the national celebration were unreasonable and inappropriate.
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