Staff of St. John The Baptist Catholic Basic School in Assin Breku, the district capital of Assin North, were given a rare opportunity to interact with the Right to Information (RTI) Officer for the district on January 22, 2025. The sensitization session was aimed at deepening their understanding of the RTI Act and its significance in promoting transparency and accountability.
The atmosphere was lively as the RTI Officer took staff members through the essence of the law, explaining why it was passed and what it seeks to achieve. He broke down the step-by-step process of requesting information from public institutions, highlighting the standard 14-day processing period and conditions under which an extension might be granted.
A particularly insightful moment came when the officer touched on exempt information, using the example of HIV statistics. He explained that while general figures could be accessed, personal details of patients, such as names and locations, were protected under the law. He also elaborated on what happens when a requested piece of information is not available at a particular institution but can be obtained from another public body.
The session became even more engaging when staff raised concerns about security-related information. Some teachers openly expressed their fears about sharing intelligence with the police, citing instances where informants’ identities had allegedly been exposed, putting their lives in danger. One teacher lamented that some police officers mishandle sensitive intelligence, making it unsafe for community members to report crimes. Others strongly reiterated that, for their safety, they would never disclose any relevant crime-related information to law enforcement.
Acknowledging these concerns, the RTI Officer assured the staff that their grievances would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities. He also encouraged them to exercise their right to information responsibly, assuring them that transparency remains a key pillar of governance.
The session ended on a high note, with teachers appreciating the initiative and asking for more of such engagements to clarify their rights and responsibilities under the RTI Act.
