The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) continues to serve as an important tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and open governance in Ghana as public education on the law reaches diverse groups within society. As part of efforts to deepen public understanding of the law, the Right to Information Officer at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Isaac Esuon, organized separate sensitisation programmes on May 11 and 12, 2026, for nursing students, psychiatric patients, and their families at the hospital.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, students from Mampong College of Nursing and Midwifery who were undertaking clinical training at Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital participated in an educational session on the RTI Act. During the engagement, the Information Officer explained the provisions of the law, emphasizing citizens’ constitutional right to access information from public institutions and relevant private bodies. The session also highlighted the role of the RTI Law in strengthening democratic governance and encouraging informed participation in national development. The students expressed appreciation for the practical illustrations used during the presentation, which enhanced their understanding of the law and its relevance to healthcare and public administration.
In a related engagement held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, psychiatric patients and their families at the Outpatients Department of the hospital were also taken through the key provisions of the RTI Act while awaiting treatment. The sensitisation focused on educating participants about their right to request and receive information from state institutions, as well as the importance of transparency and accountability in the delivery of public services. Many participants noted that it was their first time hearing about the RTI Law and welcomed the initiative as an empowering step towards improving citizen awareness and participation in governance processes.
The engagements underscored the critical role Information Officers play in bridging the information gap between public institutions and citizens through continuous community outreach and public education. Participants called for intensified sensitisation campaigns within communities to ensure broader public awareness of the law and its benefits. The initiative by Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital reflects the growing commitment of institutions across the country to promote openness, public trust, and accountable governance through the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).
