Newly recruited employees of the Petroleum Commission have undergone a comprehensive sensitization programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, as part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability within public institutions. The training, held on February 2 at the Commission’s premises, was led by the Commission’s RTI Officer and formed part of the statutory responsibility to educate citizens and public servants on the relevance of the law in promoting open governance.
The session introduced participants to the fundamentals of the RTI Act, including its meaning, application procedures, key provisions, and the role of the RTI Officer within the institution. The Officer provided a historical overview of the law, tracing its development from its initial drafting in 1999 by the Institute of Economic Affairs through multiple administrations until its eventual passage in 2019 and implementation in January 2020. This background, participants noted, reinforced the importance of the law as a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic governance framework.
Emphasis was placed on the significance of the RTI Act in guaranteeing citizens’ constitutional right to access information held by public institutions, subject to necessary exemptions such as national security and personal privacy. The Officer explained that the effective implementation of the law enhances openness in decision-making, builds public trust, and empowers citizens to actively participate in governance processes. Participants were also guided through the procedures for requesting information and the responsibilities placed on institutions to respond promptly and appropriately.
The interactive nature of the programme allowed the new recruits to engage actively, ask questions, and gain practical insights into applying the law in their daily work. By equipping staff with knowledge of the RTI framework, the Petroleum Commission aims to foster a culture of transparency and responsiveness in the public sector. The exercise concluded with a call for continuous education and adherence to the principles of openness, as a means of strengthening accountability and advancing national development.
