The Right to Information Officer from the Kassena Nankana West District Assembly recently conducted an educational program in Paga town. The audience for this program was a youth group known as “Royal Ghetto.” The primary aim was to educate the youth about the Right to Information Act 2019, Act 989.
During the session, the “Royal Ghetto” members were provided with an understanding of “information” and the concept of the “right to information.” Ghana, as a democratic nation, recognized the Right to Information (RTI) as a fundamental human right in 1992, incorporating provisions in the 1992 Constitution. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the Act, its provisions, and how it empowers citizens.
The presentation elucidated various aspects of the Right to Information Act, including exempt information, procedures for accessing official information from public institutions or relevant private bodies, the designated individuals to handle applications, the process for applying for a review in case of request denials, the burden of proof, and associated fees and charges.
The “Royal Ghetto” youth group actively engaged in the session, asking questions that were met with clear and satisfactory responses. In the end, they expressed their commitment to start making requests to access information, demonstrating their newfound understanding and readiness to exercise their right to information.
This educational program serves as an important step in empowering citizens with knowledge about the Right to Information Act and promoting transparency and accountability within their community.